A chicken shop in Stevenage's old town has been denied permission to extend its opening hours.

Chickaros Chicken and Grill, on the High Street, had applied to Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) for permission to change its current licence.

The proposed changes would have allowed Chickaros to serve late night refreshments and stay open until 3.30am Thursday to Saturday, and until 2am Sunday to Wednesday.

Currently, the chicken shop is allowed to serve late night refreshments until 2.30am Thursday to Saturday (delivery only from 1am), and until midnight Sunday to Wednesday.

The premises are allowed to remain open until 1.30am Thursday to Saturday, and until 12.30am Sunday to Wednesday.

However, SBC's Licensing Committee "was not satisfied that the application would promote the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and prevention of public nuisance".

It resolved to refuse Chickaros' application at a meeting on Tuesday, December 20. 

A representation from Hertfordshire police formally objcted to the proposals.

Their representation stated that there had been "previous breaches of hours stated on the licence" and that "though advised, on at least two occasions, that they were breaching the conditions of said licence, staff continued to sell refreshments to customers with no regard to that advice".

The local authority planning department and Environmental Health both also raised concerns, related to the amount of noise that would be generated by extending opening hours.