A kebab shop manager is planning to make a 13th bid to extend the opening hours of his cafe.

Brighton and Hove City Council has refused 12 consecutive applications by Superchef cafe and takeaway in St James's Street, Kemp Town, to stay open beyond midnight.

But manager Dervif Akkurt is determined to try again and admitted regularly staying open until about 3am in defiance of council rules.

The Kingscliffe Society has repeatedly written to the council demanding tough enforcement action against the cafe.

It claims people living nearby have suffered years of early-morning noise from people using the cafe.

Society secretary Dr Janie Thomas said: "This saga has been going on for at least 13 years."

The cafe's owners were last refused permission to appeal against refusal in July.

Mr Akkurt insisted the nature of busy St James's Street, where other premises stay open until the early hours, meant he had little choice but to stay open.

He said: "I can't understand why the council keeps refusing me. I'll be applying again soon."

A council spokeswoman said: "We are investigating Superchef and we are planning to take action as soon as we have got enough evidence."

Tuesday October 21, 2003