Dixi Plus on Church Street has been investigated by environmental health officers

The wafting smell of “rancid chicken fat” down Church Street could see a fast food takeaway shut down by licensing chiefs.

Dixi Plus, at 143 Church Street, faces a barrage of complaints from neighbouring businesses to environmental health officers about over-flowing bins, waste food and terrible odours coming from the premises.

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Colin Walmsley, managing director of NW Traders, on nearby Boltons Court, was forced to send photos to the council after numerous complaints.

In an email in early March to environmental health officers he writes: “The over-full waste bin (and surrounding debris!) was not emptied last weekend, and they are adding to the pile day-by-day.

“A large number of black plastic bags have been torn open, and there is waste food visible inside along with other waste food lying on the floor around the bin.”

Photo evidence submitted by licensing chiefs showing over-flowing bins on Boltons Court behind Dixi Plus

Following a number of visits to the premises, environmental health officers have now requested a review of Dixi Plus’ ability to trade claiming it is causing a public nuisance.

Officers claim the takeaway, run by Shahzad Zafar, has breached the conditions of its licence by:

– allowing excessive odours to arise from the activities carried on within the premises to the nuisance of occupiers within the vicinity of the premises

– waste from the premises have not been adequately and properly disposed of, including waste cooking oil

The council’s licensing sub committee will meet on Wednesday 25th June at 10am in the Town Hall to decide whether to strip Dixi Plus of its licence to trade or not.

Councillors could also add extra conditions to the licence or remove the licence holder.

Dixi Plus was granted a premises licence in February 2007, allowing it to open from 11pm to 3.30am from Sunday to Thursday and between 11pm and 4.30am on Friday and Saturday.

It faces an appeal from Lancashire Police in October 2011 to review its licence due to crime and disorder in or near to the premises, while at the same time Mr Zafar applied to be allowed to open until 4.30am on Sunday to Thursday and until 6am on Friday and Saturday.

In November 2011 the licensing sub committee refused the attempt to allow later opening hours.

View all the reports relating to this licensing sub committee hearing on the council website.

Image credit to George D Thompson