Jimmy’s Kebab, a popular late-night food van situated on Bog Island, Bath’s well-known nighttime social area, has been refused permission to extend its operating hours from 3am to 3.40am. The van owner, Mehmet Yilmaz, sought the extra 40 minutes to serve patrons leaving local pubs and nightclubs but faced opposition from the nearby Abbey Hotel.
Located just 25 metres from the van’s pitch, the Abbey Hotel raised concerns that extended trading would further disturb its guests due to noise from kebab van customers. This is the third attempt by Mr Yilmaz to secure later hours, all of which have been denied by Bath and North East Somerset Council.
At a hearing before the council’s licensing subcommittee, Mr Yilmaz was represented by licensing consultant Bill Donne, who emphasised that Bog Island was already a bustling nighttime hub with numerous venues, including the nightclub Labyrinth. He argued that the kebab van’s presence did not add to public nuisance and could actually help reduce disturbances, as patrons tend to be quieter while eating, and the van’s CCTV cameras monitor the area.
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Mr Donne also noted that no objections had been raised by the police or environmental health departments, and previous inspections found the van operating in accordance with regulations.
However, Abbey Hotel’s general manager, Kamal Rajendra, stated that the kebab van attracted groups leaving nearby nightclubs, causing noise issues. The hotel has reportedly had to relocate 30 to 40 guests from rooms facing Bog Island to quieter areas within the hotel due to disturbances attributed to the van’s clientele. With the hotel’s recent expansion, Mr Rajendra expressed concerns that extended trading hours would further impact guests’ comfort during late hours.
Ultimately, the licensing subcommittee decided to reject the application, prioritising the potential disturbance to local residents and businesses. Commenting on the outcome, Mr Donne expressed disappointment, suggesting that the councillors weighted speculative concerns over tangible evidence.
“The councillors gave too much weight to speculation rather than hard evidence,” said Mr Donne, reflecting on the decision.
The council’s ruling keeps Jimmy’s Kebab’s closing time at 3am, maintaining the status quo amid an ongoing balance between Bath’s vibrant nightlife and the needs of its neighbouring community.