A TAKEAWAY has been put up for sale less than a month after its late-night opening plan was rejected by the council.

City centre chicken shop Kays was put up for sale by its owner Khalid Mahood who said he wants to spend more time with his family and move out of Worcester.

The takeaway owner has slapped an asking price of £75,000 for the “once in a lifetime opportunity” in adverts posted across various Facebook buy and sell pages.

But the decision to sell comes less than a month after the fast food restaurant had an application to open until 5am at weekends rejected by Worcester City Council’s licensing committee.

Following the decision, Mr Mahmood questioned why other takeaways around The Cross – particularly Shakeeys, McDonalds and Subway – were allowed to remain open until the early hours but his takeaway was not.

The decision also comes after the takeaway was completely refurbished last year.

All of the takeaway’s equipment including pizza grills, fryers, panini grills, a kebab machine and two freezers as well as display units and fridges would be included in the price.

A new website is also included in the deal.

Mr Mahmood was heavily criticised by West Mercia Police over his late-night licence application with the force suggesting he showed no signs he understood what the licensing objectives were and did not show any consideration for safeguarding.

After declining a meeting with police over the application, Mr Mahmood had told officers not to be concerned because he was “only interested in selling chicken.”

The council’s licensing committee did grant Mr Mahmood a licence to keep Kays open until midnight every night but only if a bouncer was on the door on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until the takeaway had closed.

Sergeant Paul Smith, of the South Worcestershire licensing team, had said at the licensing meeting that allowing a takeaway to open later in the part of the city centre where crime was increasing could attract more crime and disorder – particularly alcohol related violence and anti-social behaviour.

Sgt Smith said it would also stretch the police’s beleaguered resources further.

A new KFC restaurant in the same location was also rejected by council planners last October.

The newly-refurbished restaurant was handed a one star hygiene rating following an inspection on November 29 last year and ordered to improve its storage, preparation and handling of food as well.

The takeaway was also criticised for not regularly checking its food was safe to eat.