Weston-super-Mare chippy instructed its tables ‘may very well be used as weapons’

A fish and chip store has been ordered to take away picnic tables which the police assume may very well be used as weapons.

Michelle Michael, who owns the Waterfront Fish Bar in addition to the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, was instructed by police to take away the blue picnic tables outdoors the restaurant.

Police instructed a licensing listening to at North Somerset Council: “Any furniture that’s left can be used as weapons during the high risk late hours.”

However, Ms Michael stated: “We have been operating the site since 2010 and we have not seen any anti-social behaviour involving the use of furniture.”

The benches have been purchased by the chippy earlier this summer time to be used on the pedestrianised part of Regent Street outdoors the premises, as they’re heavy and don’t blown away.

However, they have been unable to be packed away into the small fish restaurant every evening, as required by a situation in its licence.

Now a bid to take away that situation and permit the benches to remain out in a single day has been quashed after North Somerset Council’s licensing subcommittee sided with the police.

Police licensing officer Andy Manhire instructed a licensing listening to on 2 September: “They could be thrown or moved, thereby causing a danger to pedestrians or vehicles.”

But Ms Michael identified that the recycled plastic picnic tables weighed about 100kg (220lb) every and weren’t “throwable”.

She stated lighter picnic tables have been in use at Bistrot Pierre, simply throughout the sq., however was instructed they have been outdoors of council management as they have been on personal property.

Mr Manhire added that, in contrast to Bistrot Pierre, the Waterfront benches have been situated within the “flow of drunks” down Regent Street.

The council is not going to implement its determination instantly to present the fish restaurant time to make preparations.