A soon-to-be renovated establishment in Sheffield’s City Centre was given permission to sell alcohol until 4.00 am on Fridays and Saturdays, despite complaints being made by members of the public.

The owner of 4 Fitzwilliam Street, Masoud Ibrahimi, was also granted permission to sell alcohol until 2.00 am on every other day of the week.

Sheffield City Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee made the decision last Tuesday.

Councillor Abdul Khayum, Joint Chair of the Licensing Committee and Firth Park Ward representative said: “It’s a well-known area for late-opening shops. Some of them are 24 hours. And we feel that it’s the right decision.”

Saeed Ibrahimi, the upcoming supervisor for 4 Fitzwilliam Street, represented the company at the meeting.

He said: “There is trust. If I don’t do what I’m telling you I’m going to do: if I start creating noise, if drunk people leaving my place are creating that sort of noise, then you can bring me down here and suspend my licence.

“It’s not going to happen. It will not happen.

“What I can do and I can ensure from my end is the conditions and the objections that you propose to me.”

Several councillors and residents previously came forward about concerns surrounding the plans.

Councillor Ruth Mersereau, Green Party Councillor for City Ward, objected to the times that Mr Ibrahimi wanted to sell alcohol at the establishment.

She said: “I have strong concerns because of the effect that late night opening/alcohol sales has on community safety.”

Initially she said that residents feel unsafe at night and that they have disturbed sleep, suggesting the current plans for the Fitzwilliam Street business will only make things worse.

Some local residents, particularly living in the neighbouring West One, had similar concerns surrounding public health and safety, noise regulation in and outside the establishment, waste disposal and anti-social behaviour in residential areas.

One anonymous resident said: “It is important for the local authority to prioritize the well-being and safety of the community and ensure that the character of residential areas is preserved.”

Another resident said that the proposed opening hours until 4.00 am do not align with the location falling into a ‘night-time quiet area’.