A SANDWICH shop almost fell foul of tough new guidelines restricting the number of takeaways allowed in a the Redcar area.

A complaint had been lodged with planning inspectors that the D Town Deli, which has been open for several years in Dormanstown, was predominantly selling hot food.

As result, the shop's owner Martin Adams was forced to apply for a change of use certificate at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's regulatory committee.

Mr Adams, who leases out the business, told members that he had never encountered any problems before the complaint was lodged and the business employed several locals as well as apprentices.

He said: "If this shop doesn't get the licence, unfortunately, the two apprentices will be laid off and the ladies who have the leasehold will not be able to survive on just cold food."

One of the apprentices, Nathan Jones, told members the job gave him a reason to get up on a morning and he was proud of his work.

The application was recommended for refusal by the council's planning officers as it meant that 33 per cent of businesses in Ennis Square would be classed as takeaways when the council's guidelines state it should only be five per cent.

However, several members believed that shop, which is only open between 8am and 2pm during the week, was not part of the night time economy that the guidelines were aimed at addressing.

Councillor Brenda Forster said: "This doesn't seem to me to be a takeaway - it seems to be more like a sandwich shop."

Councillor Peter Jackson recommended approving the application and it was passed by eight votes to three in favour of allowing the change of use licence.