A takeaway restaurant in Rickmansworth is challenging a council ruling restricting its opening hours - just four months after it opened for business.

The Dominos Pizza shop, in Moneyhill Parade, opened its doors in the summer on the site of popular Hamblings butchers shop. Its current license agreement with Three Rivers District Council - agreed when planning permission was granted in January - demands the shop closes its doors at 10pm from Monday to Saturdays.

Managers at the nationwide chain, however, have applied for permission to keep the doors open until 11pm each evening, maximizing potential profits during the crucial late-night, post pub period.

Council officers say the current restrictions minimise inconvenience to nearby residents by reducing the risk of rowdy late night behaviour. Concerned residents, however, are upset at the proposals.

Residents’ Association chairman Peter Crispin said: “I’m afraid this is just typical of British commerce and how big companies behave. They get approval under one set of conditions and immediately push to have them changed. That does not seem right.

“My concern here is that - as with all takeaways - there will be a problem with litter. This will only get worse as the drunks come out of the pubs and go for their takeaway.”

Sunday and bank holiday trading times are unchanged in the plans, remaining 12 noon to 6pm.