The owner of Yiayia's at the Fox in Lower Bourne, Farnham, has won a battle with neighbours to open his Winchester restaurant until 3am, seven days a week.
Paul Pyrgoudes opened his second Greek and Cypriot restaurant, Yiayia's Kitchen, in St George's Street, Winchester, just before Christmas 2022 having run The Fox pub in Frensham Road with great success since 2016.
The restaurant is currently allowed to open until 10pm, but Mr Pyrgoudes wanted this extended until 3am, seven days a week.
He told Winchester City Council’s licensing sub-committee meeting there had been some difficulties with his previous business partners at Marshall Eaton, the now-liquidated owners of ME estate agents, which meant opening and closing the venue last summer. But all he wanted was to run a safe and enjoyable restaurant.
However, Catherine Brandwood, of Italian-themed wine merchant and deli Toscanaccio in Parchment Street, feared an increase in crime, disorder and noise because of ‘late-night revellers’.
She said a covered alleyway would make it harder to break up any disorder and also hit out at Yiayia’s extraction system which means a plume of thick smoke enters her building – an issue she has taken up with the city council separately.
But Yiayia’s owner Mr Pyrgoudes said he was looking to maximise his business by offering takeaways and exploring all food delivery services until the business became self-sustainable.
He added that he wants to create a great restaurant in Winchester that the council can be proud of and give everything he’s got.
He said: ”I do believe in the brand. I want to run a nice safe business for everyone. Bring the cuisine to the guys that want it.”
The restaurant’s is currently allowed to open from 8am to 11pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 10pm at the weekend, with the owner seeking an extension until 3am just for takeaway food, not alcohol.
What has been granted is an extension until 3am for Monday through to Saturday night and on a Sunday if there is a bank holiday.
The owner had spoken to the Hampshire Constabulary’s PC Swallow in consultation with his application to scope out the conditions of his extended opening hours.
Among the conditions are children not being allowed on the premises after 10pm, CCTV being installed and an SIA security guard on Friday and Saturday nights.
Granting the licence, the committee also said there would be no dining service allowed inside late at night, and tables outside would be removed to ensure a strict takeaway policy is followed.