Report by STUART DYE

A RESTAURANTEUR says borough councillors are unfairly blocking his plans to open late at weekends.

Andrew Lee opened the Alhambra Chinese Restaurant on Wheelock Street on April 1 this year.

Mr Lee originally applied to Congleton Borough Council's planning committee to be allowed to open until 1am every night, but his application was rejected. He then applied to be allowed to open to 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only.

This application has again been rejected, leaving Mr Lee feeling victimised.

He told the Guardian: "I am very disappointed with the decision. The town council supports me, the residents seem to support me and this decision is being made by borough councillors who are not from the immediate area."

Congleton Borough Council says an extension of the Alhambra's hours would affect the quality of life for people in neighbouring homes.

But planning consultant Mike Gresty, who is dealing with the application for Mr Lee, says there are no good grounds to come to that decision.

He added: "There are four take-aways and three restaurants in the area, and it is quite normal to have late supper licences until 12.30am.

"It is also a non-residential area and so the borough council's decision about effecting residential amenities is wrong. We are now going to appeal against the decision to the council."

Mr Lee has invested around £250,000 into the restaurant, a former theatre and more recently a games arcade, and he now plans to develop the first floor of the building.

Town Councillor Mike Hunter said: "The town council fully supports Mr Lee. He came to Middlewich and turned around a run-down building and made it a pleasant feature of the town centre.

"This kind of business should be encouraged as it is good for the town. Other restaurants have late licences so the borough council should show consistency in decision-making and treat Mr Lee fairly."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.