A BATTLING businessman is hoping that people power will help him to overcome what he believes are unfair restrictions on his trading.

Alan McClurg, proprietor of 'Alan's Village Takeway' in Church Road, Rainford, wants to open in the evenings to provide suppers for regular customers. But council chiefs say he must stick to the agreed opening hours of 11.30am to 1.30pm and 4.30 to 6.30pm.

Now Alan has presented a 2,000-name petition to the council calling for the restrictions to be lifted, along with 200 letters of support.

This isn't the first time he has faced opposition in his bid to establish his business. Initially he was refused permission to turn the former butcher's shop into a fast food takeaway, before finally opening for business in November after reaching a compromise with the local authority.

Alan says he has the support of many local residents, but the council claims that his opening hours are restricted as it is thought that any extension would be "detrimental to the local community due to the noise and smell."

However, Alan pointed out that there are already two other takeaways in operation in the village, which are allowed to trade until midnight; while all the other shops on the same parade as his have no restrictions placed on them in terms of opening hours.

He feels he is being unfairly treated by the council and told the Star: "I constantly have people knocking on my door after hours, especially those on their way home from work, who cannot understand why a fast food place has to shut so early."

Meanwhile, a council spokesperson commented: "Permission was only granted on condition that Mr McClurg adhered to the rules which, at the time, he seemed quite happy to do."

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