TWO Poole kebab houses have had their late-night licences revoked after an altercation outside the shops over the summer.

Licence reviews of Munchies, on the High Street, and Sultan Grill, around the corner on Old Orchard, were applied for by Dorset Police following a “serious incident of disorder” in the early hours of Sunday, June 22.

The Borough of Poole’s licensing sub-committee also took a dim view of both takeaways serving past their licensed closing hour of 4am. CCTV footage showing Sultan Grill open for business at 5am was taken just 24 hours before the takeaway’s director, Mehmet Gilgil, attended a licensing hearing last month.

Both takeaways have 21 days to appeal against the decision, but if the revocations stand they will be forced to close at 11pm rather than 4am. Speaking at the sub-committee meeting to review Munchies at Upton House, Matt Seager, crime analyst for Dorset Police, said the area around Munchies was a “hotspot” for late-night disorder.

He said: “It is significant enough in volume to make me think the premises is making some sort of contribution.”

With regard to staying open beyond their licensed hours, Sergeant Lynette Gibbs, of Dorset Police, said the takeaway had shown a “complete disregard” for the Licensing Act, a sentiment echoed during the review of Sultan Grill’s licence, held separately at Poole Civic Centre.

Munchies’ licence holder, Mesut Kaya, said they mainly had to deal with people who were “drunk, wayward and only partly aware of what they are doing”.

Mr Gilgil, speaking to the committee through a Turkish interpreter, said most of his late night customers were under the influence of alcohol.

He added: “We are surrounded by pubs and clubs and we do our best.

“We just try to serve the customers and not engage with them too much.”

Daniel Weintroub, representing Munchies, said since the incident the takeaway had begun to employ bouncers and the staff had been trained in conflict management.

Mr Weintroub also represented Sultan Grill.

Frank Wenzel, the council’s licensing principal officer, said: “We take the management of late night takeaways and the breach of any licensing conditions very seriously.”