City centre food stall refused late licence over fears it would become 'focal point' for late night revellers

A food stall has been stopped from staying open until 5am following fears it would become a 'destination' for late night revellers leaving city centre clubs.

Greek Grill House in Great Northern Square has been refused a late night licence after both police and council officers objected to the application. Manchester council says there are a 'significant number' of noise complaints about groups of people congregating around the Peter Street area after 2am.

Buskers have started performing in the city centre spot to make money from these people, according to the local authority, and one has faced legal action. Turkish takeaway Hatty's in Deansgate has been the subject of several complaints about double parking, car horns, screaming and shouting – but licensing officer Niall Johnson said other premises are also responsible.

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He said: "From 2am until 4am, the primary goal for Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police is the safe, expedient, quiet egress out of the city centre of people back home. After 2 o'clock, we receive a significant number of police complaints.

"They're not specific to a certain premises – they are specific to that particular area of Peter Street. Sometimes they complain about bars or clubs, but when we go down there, it's noise from several different premises, from groups of people congregating.

"We've recently had to start taking legal action on buskers who have started coming into Great Northern Square specifically for these groups of people to make money. So we have to prohibit them from coming into the area."

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