Brighton Sushi Restaurant Faces Objections Over Late-Night Licence

A Brighton sushi restaurant is facing objections to its application for a late-night licence, after being found trading beyond its permitted hours.

The Sushi Co, on Western Road, has applied for a licence that would allow it to sell hot food and drinks until 3am daily.

Currently, the restaurant can serve alcohol with meals until 11pm. The business says it has no plans to extend alcohol sales later into the night.

Changes to Brighton and Hove City Council’s licensing policy before Christmas mean that restaurants in the central city can now apply to trade until 1am, while takeaways generally continue to close by 11pm.

However, Sussex Police and the council’s licensing team have raised objections.

The application will now be considered by a three-member licensing panel on Wednesday 7 January.

The concerns centre on a licensing visit on 7 November, when officers found the restaurant trading after 11pm.

Police said the business had also been advertising a 3am closing time on its windows and a 4am closing from Friday to Sunday on its website.

During the visit, staff admitted serving hot food until 3am and contacted the business owner, 41-year-old Varanand Sama, who is listed as the company director.

Sergeant Mark Redbourn from Sussex Police said:

“It was pointed out to Mr Sama that a late-night refreshment licence was required for hot food sales after 11pm.

"He was dismissive of this advice and suggested workarounds, which were not acceptable.

"His approach raises concerns about compliance with any licence conditions.”

Sergeant Redbourn also highlighted the high crime levels in the area, noting that within 200 metres of the venue there were 167 violent crimes, 21 robberies, 13 sexual offences, 44 incidents of criminal damage and 84 public order offences in the year to last November.

Council licensing officer Donna Lynsdale supported the concerns, stating that no exceptional circumstances justified departing from the current policy on late-night trading.

The Sushi Co responded to a warning letter issued in November, apologising for the previous discussion with authorities and confirming it had ceased late-night hot food sales.

The restaurant said internal compliance procedures are now in place to ensure adherence to licensing laws.

If granted, Sussex Police have proposed draft conditions restricting trade after 11pm to deliveries only.

A qualified licence holder or duty manager would also be required on site at all times.

The virtual licensing panel hearing is scheduled to start at 10am on Wednesday 7 January and will be webcast.