A TAKEAWAY owner in Bournemouth fears he may be forced to shut unless he can extend his opening hours until 5.30am.

Istanbul in Old Christchurch Road has applied to Bournemouth council for a variation in its premises licence.

If approved, the eatery would open from 8am to 5.30am, Monday to Sunday, and be allowed to serve late night hot food and drink between 11pm and 5am, for consumption off the premises.

The takeaway, which received a zero food hygiene rating at its last inspection in February, currently opens until 4.30am.

However, manager Mohanad Badawi says his business depends on the late night trade from revellers at clubs and bars in the area, and he hopes the council will grant him his bid to extend its hours.

“We don’t get any trade until the night-time. Our busy time starts at 3.30am,” he explained.

“The rent and business rates are so expensive that I’ve told the council, if they don’t accept our licence application, we will have to close.

“The weekends are very important for us so I hope we will be allowed to stay open longer.”

Mr Badawi said he hoped to re-brand the takeaway in the future and change the name of the establishment.

When asked by the Daily Echo about the low food hygiene rating given to the restaurant, he said improvements had been made following a recent re-inspection.

However, ward councillor Robert Chapman is concerned about the takeaway staying open so late.

“I am aware of this premises licence application, and I’m concerned about the number of applications we’re getting for businesses to stay open through the night.

“It’s not unreasonable to ask these places to close at 1.30am, or 3am in exceptional circumstances. Any later and it’s just not fair on the people living in that area.”

He added: “The council has invested in the Horseshoe Common area and put a lot of residential units in the Citrus building. There are also people living in flats above these catering establishments who deserve to have a decent night’s sleep.

“I think there are far too many of these establishments in that part of town.”