A POKESDOWN pizza restaurant has been denied an alcohol licence due to its “dangerous” kitchen.

Applicant Karol Ledzinski sought to sell alcohol on and off premises between midday and 11pm each day of the week at Signature Pizza, 872 Christchurch Road, which formerly housed vintage clothing store The Attic.

The bid drew opposition from neighbours, and at a meeting on Thursday councillors voted it down, citing their fears over health and safety having seen photographs of its interior.

Licensing board chairman Andrew Morgan said: “Unfortunately the applicant didn’t turn up, which wasn’t very helpful. We made every effort to get in touch with him.

“We didn’t issue the licence, it was refused in its entirety.

“The applicant submitted a number of photos and we were very unhappy about the public safety aspect, which doesn’t come up often at licensing meetings.

“We felt the kitchen looked dangerous and not fit for purpose, and that putting alcohol into the mix would have been a step too far.

“Also we were concerned the layout was likely to cause a public nuisance.”

The board had received two objections, one from neighbour Mark Lee who claimed to have suffered with food smells and excessive noise from the restaurant until 4am.

He was represented by ward councillor Gina Mackin at the meeting.

In his submission to the board, Mr Lee said: “The upheaval that we residents are currently experiencing has been most upsetting and brought into question where our neighbourhood is heading.”

Mr Ledzinski had written to the board claiming he was a victim of “bullying and harassment”.

“We have to pay rent for a shop that we cannot use in peace and run our business without discrimination and harassment,” he said.

Speaking with the Daily Echo after the meeting, Cllr Morgan added: “I gather the business has not been trading for about six weeks anyway.”