SALFORD COUNCIL is considering proposals to stop fast food outlets, including chip shops and corporate giants like McDonald’s, from serving hot food before 5pm.
The Manchester Evening News reports that the new laws are part of an anti-obesity drive. The rules would only apply to new takeaways applying for a licence.
Councillor Margaret Morris, assistant mayor for health at Salford council, told the paper: “Takeaways create jobs and provide a service but these ideas are to make sure that they are opening in the right places and not having a negative impact in our city.
“We don’t think they should be serving hot food over the counter before 5pm near schools, as children should be encouraged to eat healthily, so we have made this clear in our proposal.”
Andrew Cook, treasurer of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said of the proposals: “This is penalising business unnecessarily. Every morning I see children going to the newsagents next door and buying sweets, chocolates and pies – and that’s not healthy. But we’re an easy target.”
Several local authorities have already banned takeaways from opening close to schools, youth clubs and parks.