AN application to extend the operating hours of a sandwich shop in Winchester has been approved, with the condition of hiring a security guard at the entrance to deter crime.

Mr Rehan Rehman, owner of Subway in Winchester High Street, applied to extend its hours of operation to include 2am to 4am from Thursday to Saturday.

However, police raised concerns, and some conditions need to be met to grant the extension, such as the employment of SIA security staff at the door and the security officer’s use of a body-worn video camera.

At a Winchester City Council meeting, Mr Rehman said that recently, a “competitor” next door opened until 4am without an SIA guard standing at the door, and for that reason, he put an application forward.

Subway WinchesterSubway Winchester (Image: Google Maps)

READ MORE: Police objecting to extended opening into early hours for sandwich shop

The owner said Subway had been on site for many years providing services to pub leavers and that extending the hours would benefit Winchester’s night economy. However, since it is a small business, hiring security staff “would not be viable”.

In his application, he stated that the restaurant can use the security radio linked to other neighbours’ businesses in a challenging situation and ask for support.

Mr Rehman clarified to councillors that they never relied on the “next door” security guards and “never will” and highlighted that the radio could be a way to control a challenging situation.

However, Winchester officers said that security guards by other venues should not be relied on when managing their own premises and promoting the licensing. 

“It is the responsibility of premises to show the licensing committee how they would promote public safety at sites, and in your application, you did not offer much information to the committee,” the officer said.

They explained that after 10pm, there is no security response through the radio since rangers who patrol the city in the evenings. The radio is then connected to the CCTV system, so images can be requested and provided in case of an accident.

Officers added that the radio should be a “backup” for venues and cannot be the “absolute resolution” to any issues.

At the meeting, PC Brian Swallow said that Winchester is not a violent place. However, most of the reported violent crime happens during the weekend at night time hours on the High Street. 

PC Swallow said: “This application is about two things. On one side, the applicant, where everything is about money. He is a businessman who wants to make money but wants to spend less.

SEE ALSO: Hampshire councillors criticise Government raid on winter fuel payments

“For us, it is about public disorder, nuisance and safety.”

He added that one of the most effective ways to mitigate night crime is to have an SIA security guard who wears a body-worn video camera to support CCTV. 

“The applicant doesn’t want to implement these measures because they cost too much. That is not my concern, and I strongly suggest not yours [the council] either. 

PC Swallow said that the applicant must comply with the police’s conditions for the application to be granted. Otherwise, it should be refused. 

The application was granted with police conditions.