Lib Dems Concerned Over Take-Away Food Plans

Liberal Democrats on Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council are concerned that attempts to limit the number of hot food takeaways will not apply to smaller parades of shops.

The Labour-run Council today voted for an interim policy of restricting the number of hot food takeaways on main shopping streets.

Redcar Lib Dem Councillor Mary Ovens (pictured) is concerned that smaller parades of shops will not be included.

Cllr Ovens said:

“I fully accept that hot food takeaways have their place and that there is demand for them.

“But there is a danger that some shopping areas get dominated by them. Many are closed in the daytime and make shopping areas appear dead.

“I hope the interim policy is accepted by planning inspectors. Unfortunately it does not extend to small parades of shops where there can be a real danger of the majority of shops being takeaways. Maybe the policy can be improved in the future, but I fear it will be too late for some shopping areas."