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Pizza shop owner fined £5k for licence breach

Andrew Barton
BBC News, Yorkshire
Google A white shop doorway at the junction of two terraced streets. Above the doorway is a red sign whith Pepperoni Palace written in white lettering.Google
Pepperoni Palace was visited by officers several times before the test purchase was made, City of York Council said

A pizza shop owner has been fined more than £5,000 for breaching the terms of his licence.

Emrah Aktas, who owns Pepperoni Palace on Walpole Street in York, was not licensed to sell hot food or alcohol after 23:00, but nevertheless did so last year, according to City of York Council.

In September, enforcement officers made a successful online test purchase of hot food and drink, then visited the premises and paid for the items, a spokesperson for the authority said.

Mr Aktas, who did not respond to a summons, was convicted in his absence at York Magistrates' Court on 8 May and fined £2,000, as well as being ordered to pay costs of £2,547.28 and a surcharge of £800.

A collection order totalling £5,347.28 was issued by the court, to be paid by Mr Aktas within 28 days.

Google The exterior of York Magistrates' Court: A large red brick gothic style building with a projecting bay at each end carried up to octagonal turrets and carved stonework at a greater height than the remainder of the facade. In the apex of the triangular upper part of the front of the building is carved the arms of the city of York and above them is a figure of Justice holding scales. Behind is a clock tower encasing a white faced clock with black numerals and hands. Slices of azure blue sky can be seen inbetween large white Cumulus clouds.Google
Mr Aktas was convicted in his absence at York Magistrates' Court last week

The City of York Council spokesperson said officials had visited Pepperoni Palace several times before the test purchase was made.

"They gave warnings about operating without a licence and gave advice about how to apply for a licence," they explained.

Councillor Jenny Kent, executive member for environment, said: "Licences are required for a reason, and time limits are important to protect local residents from undue disturbance at anti-social hours.

"If an unlicensed business sells food and drink outside these times, particularly late at night or early in the morning, they are acting illegally."

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