A TAKEAWAY close to a residential area of Kendal has been granted a licence to open until late at weekends.

Santorino’s, at Kirkland, was initially opened on a trial basis before Christmas, but has now been granted a permanent licence and permission to open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

“The objective is to open a successful business to support the townspeople and the local economy,” said landlord Patrick Brennand, who addressed South Lakeland District Council’s licensing committee on behalf of owner Sarkawt Khezri.

“It’s the finest Iranian takeout in the world and we want it to be a success.”

The shop will sell kebabs and pizzas and will fill a site which has been empty for three years since a Thai takeaway and a fish and chip shop closed.

But at the meeting, in Kendal, councillors revealed they had received several objections from residents.

“We would wish them well in their endeavours but would like to see a restraining of the lengthy hours,” said ward councillor Phillip Dixon.

“Local people’s experience of the last few weeks is late-night cars coming when normal people want to be in bed asleep.

“The hours seem really quite unreasonable to them.”

However, Mr Brennand said Mr Khezri lived above the shop and had installed CCTV so he could keep a check on late-night customers.

“We are satisfied the applicant has taken approp-iate measures, including installing CCTV,” said Coun Evelyn Westwood, who chaired the meeting.

It will be one of just a handful of takeaways allowed to open past 11pm, including one on Kent Street which has a 4am licence.

Santorino’s will also be open until midnight between Monday and Thursday.