A Stafford restaurant and takeaway has failed in its bid to extend its opening hours to 3am.

Pepe's Piri Piri in Stone Road currently has a premises licence to open until 12am – and a planning condition restricts opening hours until 11pm.

An application was submitted to Stafford Borough requesting changes to the premises licence, to enable it to stay open and provide late night refreshment until 3am.

A request was also made to enable the playing of recorded music in the restaurant from 11am to 3am each day.

There were no objections from responsible authorities such as the council's environmental health department.

But there were 18 representations from local residents and property owners submitted to the council, as well as a petition signed by 72 people.

Four objectors attended Wednesday's Licensing Sub-Committee hearing at Stafford Borough Council where the premises licence changes were considered.

They said the main issues were parking and noise affecting residents.

A report to the Licensing Sub-Committee said that there had been historic nuisance complaints against the business regarding noise and odour from a vent at the property.

It added: "Following investigation, it is noted that the complaints were resolved following the installation of a new flue in May 2025."

One objector at the hearing said noise had got louder in recent months and weeks however.

He added there had been activity at the premises until 1.30am.

Objectors also raised concerns about later opening hours leading to customers travelling from further afield.

And they also spoke of parking issues they had experienced.

One said: "On August 21 this year I had to contact the civil enforcement because I had a Piri Piri customer parked over my driveway refusing to move his vehicle when I was trying to pick my grandchildren up.

"When I went into Piri Piri I got the reply 'we're not responsible for customers' vehicles'.

"This isn't a one-off.

"Customers are parking behind staff cars, mounting double yellow lines, parking on both sides of the road on the pavement."

A fellow objector said: "Frequently cars parked on the driveway get blocked in.

"The problem is, some of the customers are very aggressive if you go up to them and challenge them.

"It is highly dangerous.

"I've seen a number of incidents where there have been very near misses and one involved a child."

Another objector said: "It's also the noise of car doors slamming, and that goes on until three in the morning.

"I live just across the road and we won't be sleeping at all.

"Ending at 12am is late enough, but 3am, plus the extractor fan noise and smell.

"We have to shut our windows because you might as well be sucking in burnt chicken smell.

"It's the combination of all these things that worry residents, it's not just one thing.

"All of it together just isn't correct for a residential area."

Dean Haynes, representing premises licence holder KOA Stafford Ltd, said at Wednesday's hearing he wasn't aware of the further complaints – and the premises had never stayed open until 1.30am.

He asked residents to report any issues or complaints they had to the restaurant.

He added: "We will respectfully ask customers to move their cars, but it's down to the customer.

"If they hurl abuse at yourselves I'm absolutely against that – it's not the behaviour or customers I want in our establishment.

"But ultimately I can't control it single-handedly, it's a matter for the law, and if a customer acts aggressively we will get the police involved.

"We requested (opening) until 3am – we're happy to work with residents and understand their concerns and the issues they've addressed already.

"We're happy to negotiate, it's not hard or fast until 3am.

"It's challenging out there at the moment for business and hospitality, with rising utility costs and employment contribution costs, and rising food costs within our sector.

"We've had an influx of customers asking for later opening hours and we're trying to meet the demand.

"With regards to the music it will just be low-level music in the background in the restaurant itself.

"We're happy to have deliveries only from midnight or – if possible – the restaurant open from midnight too.

"We're happy to work with you, not against you, and it's the same with residents.

The sub-committee did not grant the request for Pepe's Piri Piri to be able to stay open until 3am.

Cllr Ann Edgeller, who chaired the hearing, said the sub-committee would permit opening, serving of late-night refreshment and playing of recorded music until 12am.

She added: "Trading hours are to be in accordance with planning conditions.

"The premises is to be asked to ask all patrons and delivery drivers not to block residents' access and this is to be done through signage.

"This committee was concerned to note the premises are not trading in accordance with the planning conditions imposed."