Woody Express takeaway applies to extend early morning hours

Having recently combined 103 and 105 The Parade into a single unit, Woody Express Watford originally sought a new premises licence for both which would let it offer food until 5am each morning.

However, the proposed hours were reduced amid Herts Police concerns and the draft licence is now for it to open until 3.30am Monday to Thursday, 4am Friday and Saturday, and 2am on Sunday nights.

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The kebab shop already has an existing licence for the original part of the unit, but it has always closed at around 3am to 3.15am each day except for Sunday nights.

The Watford Borough Council licensing sub committee meeting set for February 6 was triggered by representations from the environmental health department and a nearby resident with fears extending the hours could spark public nuisance and complaints.

Wood Express when it only had one unit.

The resident, who said they were “most concerned” about the originally proposed 5am finishing time disrupting their sleep, was informed of the new proposals but did not wish to remove their objection.

Environmental health highlighted that there are seven flats above the takeaway as well as many others nearby and, after expanding, Woody Express now has indoor seating for 26 people and outdoor seating for 40.

Giving 105 The Parade a licence was not presented as an issue outside of the expanded opening hours, but the report did highlight that the older layout had most of the interior space behind the counter, whereas the expanded store has more of a focus on seating and so would be busier.

Woody Express (Image: Stephen Danzig)

With Pryzm closed, there are no other businesses around it open that late and there have been recent complaints to environmental health about noise in the area.

The representation added: “If Woody Express is open on its own later than other premises until 5am every morning then it is likely that it will become a focal point for people who have left the other venues and there will be a concentration of noise at Woody Express”.

The environmental health officer who wrote the report said the applicant did not respond to emails, calls, or an invitation to a mediation session to discuss their issues with the proposal.