A CHICKEN shop's plan to open until 5am at weekends has been scrapped.

Bosses of Jaqk's Chicken in Foregate Street had asked for permission to open until 5am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as the Sunday before Bank Holiday’s and New Year’s Eve, but have now abandoned the plan.

The takeaway currently stays open until 1am on weekends.

A decision was due to be made by Worcester City Council's licensing committee on Friday (January 24) but the meeting has now been cancelled after the application was withdrawn.

West Mercia Police had raised "serious" concerns about the plan saying longer opening hours would contribute to an increase in anti-social behaviour and disorder in the city centre.

Sergeant Martin May said: “This premise is within the Worcester community impact zone (CIZ). This zone is there for a reason.

"In addition, there is a taxi rank opposite Jaqk’s Chicken. This will result in there being an increase in numbers staying in the area with the expected increase in disorder.”

Sgt May said he had met with owner Aqeel Mohammed to discuss the possibility of having two bouncers wearing body cameras on the door of Jaqk’s after 1am but police still felt it would increase disorder.

Rachel Mitchell, general manager of neighbouring Whitehouse Hotel in Foregate Street, has also opposed the extended opening hours, according to Sgt May’s objection.

Police said the noise from drunk revellers outside the chicken shop could disrupt guests at the hotel and lead to negative feedback online and put off guests from staying in the future.

Jaqk’s Chicken falls within the city council’s cumulative impact zone (CIZ) which is an area where applications looking for new or extended alcohol or late-night licences are placed under greater scrutiny and usually rejected on principle.