A late-night takeaway in the heart of Brighton may be forced to close after Sussex Police applied for a licence review.
The Golden Grill, in Pool Valley, Brighton, has repeatedly traded after hours, according to police, who said that a member of staff sexually assaulted a woman at the premises three month ago.
She had asked for change for a £20 note when the employee groped her breasts. He was cautioned for the offence.
Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp wrote to the Brighton and Hove City Council Licensing Committee to ask for a formal review of the Golden Grill’s licence.
He said that the takeaway was undermining the council’s licensing objectives and was contributing to crime and disorder and public nuisance.
Chief Superintendent Kemp, the police commander in Brighton and Hove, said: “There have been consistent failures by two consecutive premises licence holders to adhere to the permitted hours for late night refreshment.
“Golden Grill has been observed by police officers continually staying open and trading beyond its permitted hours.
“Furthermore there have been incidents of disorder, criminal damage and sexual assault at the premises.
“And a condition of the licence in relation to CCTV has been breached on several occasions.
“Despite interventions by the local authority and police, breaches of the licence conditions and incidents of crime and disorder persist at the premises.”
The licence holder, Mustafa Duran, will be given an opportunity to defend the Golden Grill’s record at a hearing at Brighton Town Hall this morning (Friday 11 September).
But a council licensing panel – Councillors Mo Marsh, Jackie O’Quinn and Dee Simson – may order the closure of the Golden Grill.
They are also expected to hear about safety concerns from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
The meeting is open to the public.
