A pizza parlour has been granted permission to open until 5am in a bid to drum up business from hungry late night revellers.
Following claims lockdown had altered people’s eating patterns, members of Glasgow City Council agreed to grant the late night catering licence for the shop in the Gorbals.
Italian Pizzeria at 1 Salkeld Street can now run deliveries from 11pm until 5am seven days a week, despite the hours being outwith the council’s normal policy.
Misbah Bilal, who owns the shop which sits next to an industrial estate, told members how her business was suffering because of the pandemic.
She said: “Due to where my shop is located I don’t have many customers who are walking in. Eating patterns have gone under fundamental change so this is the reason I wish to operate from 11pm until 5am.
“I am happy to be granted an operating licence until 3am but I do need these additional hours. There is too much competition as well so this would be a stepping ladder for myself and help my business to grow.
“This is a pizza shop and passing trade isn’t what it was. I’m not getting the same trade during normal business hours. I’m not in any residential area, it’s more of an industrial estate.
“I thought late night deliveries might help my staff and I financially. My sales have gone down but I do see that Just Eat and Deliveroo are operating at this time.
“I believe there are customers out there who are working late hours into the early morning and I am here to provide. This is the only reason I am here.”
Ms Bilal told the committee she was hoping to open until 5am every day of the week and that most of the orders would be placed through an app like Just Eat or similar.
She confirmed that because of the store’s location she would not disturb anyone in nearby residential areas. Staff are happy with her proposals are delivery drivers are already assigned.
Councillor Malcolm Balfour said: “You say your shop is in an industrial area.
“We know now that you wouldn’t disturb any neighbours but if industrial units are there and opening early that would help boost your business.”
