Fast meals bosses slam plans to ban new shops to manage youngster weight problems
- Newcastle is home to around 1,750 fast-food chains and mobile food outlets
Takeaway bosses have hit out at council plans to ban new fast food stores from opening in Newcastle in a bid to control child obesity.
The city, which is famous for being the birthplace of Greggs bakery, is home to around 1,750 fast-food chains and mobile food outlets.
Legislation laid out by the Labour Government will stop new businesses from opening in wards where more than ten per cent of children aged 10-11 are classed as obese.
Only two areas of Newcastle will be exempt- the affluent South Jesmond and Gosforth wards – while it is understood parts of the city centre will also be excluded.
The rules will not force existing fast-food stores to close down but it will be impossible to convert any other type of site into a takeaway from now on.
It comes after complaints that food food chains and takeaways have effectively colonised poorer areas in Newcastle, creating ‘food swamps’ where access to healthy meals is incredibly difficult.
There will be a ban on new branches opening within a 400m radius of schools and community centres, as well as in the wards where takeaway numbers exceed the national average.
Controversially, Greggs will be exempt as their outlets are technically classed as shops and the Geordie bakery has also boosted its range of healthy options on their menus.
Hamza Wasim, 21, (pictured) who works at Jefes Grill in the city of Newcastle
Mr Wasim said: ‘Not all takeaways and fast-food places sell unhealthy items. I do little rice and chicken bowls and everything is grilled’
People walk next to a sign for ‘king size hot dogs with or without onions’ in Newcastle
A woman walks down the street in Newcastle amid disagreements in the city on whether new fast food stores should be banned in certain areas
Farooq Khan (pictured) who runs Chilli Flames in the city of Newcastle, said the ‘restrictions are unfair for businesses wanting to open’
Neil Armstrong, 64, (pictured) is a restaurant worker in the city of Newcastle
Two women walk around Newcastle and pass by a popular breakfast spot in the city
A row of takeaway shops in Newcastle amid council proposals to ban new fast food stores
The bakery chain does not only offer high-calorie foods but has also increased the availability of healthier options such as salads and rice bowls over recent years.
According to Newcastle City Council, just under 30 per cent of the city’s children are considered overweight or obese compared to the national average of 22.7.%.
Hamza Wasim, 21, who works at Jefes Grill said: ‘I think it is unfair. Not all takeaways and fast-food places sell unhealthy items. I do little rice and chicken bowls and everything is grilled.
‘It surprises me because takeaways open more jobs to people.
‘If they are going to ban takeaways opening, you could argue the same for corner shops who sell chocolate and sweets.
‘Kids can buy popcorn, sweets and slushes at the cinema but that isn’t being clamped down on.
‘I feel like Greggs can get around these rules easily because they are so big.’
He added: ‘I thought they cooked their pastry in the building which is fast food.
‘If the time comes where they target existing takeaways then we will deal with it.’
Meema Banga, 43, works at the city’s Town Fry which sells an array of different kebabs and chippy meals.
She said: ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea as it will stop opportunities for employees.
‘There are takeaway workers who want to start their own business but they wouldn’t be able to do that now.
‘There is too much blame put on the takeaways. My son is 13 and as a mother I watch what he eats and what activities he does.
‘As a parent I should know what my child is doing and sometimes they sit on a computer for hours.
‘Rather than shutting takeaways, they should open more spaces for the kids to help tackle obesity.
Mahmood Aslam (pictured) who runs Caprinos pizza shop in Heaton
Mr Aslam said: ‘I have read about this and we are too close to a school for any new takeaways to open under these rules’
People walk around a market in the city of Newcastle surrounded by places to eat
Takeaway bosses and customers in Newcastle have hit out at proposals to ban new fast food stores
‘I am from India and back there, there are loads of kids playing on the streets but you don’t get that here.’
Meema added: ‘Takeaways can be expensive so there are less people going to them now anyway.
‘But if I’m going out, I don’t want to buy a green apple to eat.
‘People should be allowed to treat themselves and enjoy the food.’
Mahmood Aslam runs Caprinos pizza shop in Heaton on the outskirts of the city.
The 35-year-old said: ‘I have read about this and we are too close to a school for any new takeaways to open under these rules.
‘There are already too many around here anyway, so there isn’t space for more.
‘But I think it’s unfair to blame takeaways. Everything you need to make a pizza, you can get at ASDA and Sainsburys.
‘Why not go after big chains like ASDA? The council are trying to target potential small businesses.
‘If Dominoes apply for a new store, I bet the council wouldn’t object. It’s one rule for one and another for them.’
People walk around Newcastle surrounded by places to eat, some of which are fast food chains
A row of takeaway shops in the city of Newcastle amid council plans to ban new fast food stores
According to Newcastle City Council, just under 30 per cent of the city’s children are considered overweight or obese compared to the national average of 22.7.%
Farooq Khan runs Chilli Flames in the city, which offers a range of fast-food items including burgers, nachos and wings.
The 36-year-old said: ‘I came up with this new idea because everyone was selling fried chicken or donner kebabs and this is a bit different.
‘I think the council are right to try to tackle the issue of obesity.
‘But parents give money to the children who come in the shops and they have the right to do that.
‘We are not selling alcohol so we don’t have to ID these kids.
‘We do offer healthier food here and everything is grilled and people need healthy food.
‘Fatty oil makes fried chicken more calorific which is a danger to children.
‘But the restrictions are unfair for business wanting to open.’
Customer Neil Armstrong was about to tuck into a fish and chip meal at Town Fry.
The 64-year-old restaurant worker in Jesmond said: ‘The council shouldn’t be doing it.
Nick McDonald, 40, (pictured) is a Nissan worker from Forest Hall in the city of Newcastle
Grounds worker Kieran Talbot, 21, (pictured) said: ‘I didn’t think obesity was such a problem in Newcastle’
‘I know why they’re doing it but people should make up their own minds for what they want to eat.
‘We should let families eat takeaways if they want to eat takeaways.
‘I don’t like people being told what they can and can’t do.
‘If people want to eat burgers, it’s their choice and we should let them.
‘We have no right to tell people what they can and can’t do.
‘It would be a worry for job prospects too.’
Nick McDonald, a Nissan worker from Forest Hall, had ordered a meal from Newcastle Shawarma on Chillingham Road in Heaton.
The 40-year-old said: ‘The big issue is high streets have such high rents that they are becoming filled with takeaways and barber shops.
‘The issue around child obesity is up to the parents. The takeaways are making money so they are being invested in, that’s the way the world works.
‘There would be nothing on the high-street if it wasn’t for these places and people would complain then.
‘If I’m a bit fed up I will eat whatever want.
‘It annoys me when I go in shops and can’t buy sugary things. If I want to have sugar it should be up to me.
‘It seems a bit PC gone mad.’
Nick added: ‘When I was younger there were boys’ clubs to go to and stay active but where have they gone?
‘Most kids now like to stay in the house because it isn’t very safe and they talk to their friends online.
‘So they shouldn’t just be targeting takeaways.’
Groundworker Kieran Talbot also ordered from the same store. The 21-year-old said: ‘I didn’t think obesity was such a problem in Newcastle.
‘People should have their own choice to eat what they like.
‘I’m in the gym a lot so I can afford to eat the odd fast-food meal.
‘Maybe they should make the gyms more affordable to help the issue rather than go after takeaways.’
Newcastle is not the only area in the UK struggling with obesity, with one quarter of people in the UK considered obese, according to the NHS.
MailOnline has contacted Greggs and Newcastle City Council for comment.
