Pepe’s Piri Piri on Stone Road in Stafford has failed in its bid to extend its opening hours until 3am, following a licensing hearing at which residents raised concerns about parking, noise and the impact on neighbouring homes.
The restaurant and takeaway had applied to Stafford Borough Council for permission to open from 11am until 3am every day, alongside extended hours for late-night refreshments and recorded music.
The application was considered by the council’s Licensing Sub Committee on Wednesday 23 September, following objections from people living near the premises.
Residents raise concerns about parking and road safety
The council received 18 relevant representations and a petition signed by 72 people opposing the proposed extension.
Concerns raised during the application process included noise from customers and delivery drivers, cooking smells, litter, parking on pavements and disturbance during the early hours.
Parking and road safety were also discussed at the licensing hearing, with a member of the public describing how vehicles of various sizes had been parked on the pavement near the junction, obstructing the view of approaching traffic.
Another resident expressed concern that disputes or difficulties caused by poor parking could eventually result in someone being assaulted.
These were concerns raised by residents rather than confirmed findings that an assault had taken place.
Takeaway representative responds to complaints
During the hearing, a representative for Pepe’s Piri Piri challenged some of the issues being raised, arguing that no official complaints about the matters being discussed had been lodged with the business.
He suggested that, without formal complaints or documented incidents, some of the concerns remained matters of opinion rather than established problems.
The representative also told the committee that the takeaway maintained an incident and complaints log for staff to complete, and that there were no relevant entries recorded in it.
When asked whether this could simply mean that employees had failed to complete the log when incidents occurred or complaints were received, he said this was highly unlikely.
He explained that staff were encouraged to record every report or incident brought to their attention.
The discussion highlighted a difference between the experiences described by residents and the information the business said it had recorded internally.
The council had nevertheless received formal representations against the licensing application, which were considered as part of the hearing.
Previous complaints and proposed safeguards
The council’s earlier report on the application recorded previous complaints concerning noise and odours from a vent at the property. Those matters were reported as resolved following the installation of a new flue in May 2025.
The report also confirmed that none of the responsible authorities had objected to the latest application.
Staffordshire Police Licensing had requested changes to proposed conditions relating to crime and disorder and the protection of children, which were agreed with the applicant.
The business had proposed safeguards including CCTV, monitoring noise levels, keeping doors and windows closed to limit noise, and displaying signs asking customers to keep disturbance to a minimum.
Application to open until 3am unsuccessful
The application sought to extend the takeaway’s existing licensed hours, which permitted opening until midnight.
The proposed changes would have allowed the business to operate until 3am seven days a week, providing additional time for takeaway and delivery orders.
Following the licensing hearing, the restaurant’s bid to open until 3am was unsuccessful.
The case follows several weeks of objections from residents concerned about the potential effect of longer opening hours on the surrounding residential area.
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