Apps like Uber Eats and Deliveroo have an unfair advantage over small businesses because they're able to deliver alcohol without restrictions, a takeaway has argued.

A Medway Council policy means new or revised licence applications for a number of areas of the Towns will be refused in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

For Famous Pizza in Luton Road, Chatham, that means a bid to sell beer with its food has failed.

Now the owner says the council is not moving with the times and has failed to realise most people in the area will just get alcohol delivered from elsewhere via apps that don't need to be licensed.

Keith Manchanda, an agent acting on behalf of the takeaway's owners, argued during a licensing meeting in January it should be able to compete with the apps.

Famous Pizza was taken over by new owners in January following a five-month refurb.

He said the council's own policy of controlling licences in certain areas where alcohol is considered to contribute to crime and anti-social behaviour were redundant because people living in those areas can still order alcohol straight to their door on delivery apps.

The council's Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) says new or revised applications for the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption will be refused if put forward by premises in a number of areas, including Luton Road.

Licences will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and if the applicant could demonstrate the premises would not adversely affect licensing aims, which include the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance, ensuring public safety and protecting children from harm.

The other areas included in the policy are Chatham High Street, Railway Street, Gillingham High Street, Canterbury Street, Gillingham Road and Rochester High Street.

Businesses which already have licences can continue to sell alcohol.

The council's policies are due to be revised in April next year.

Mr Manchanda, a former Navy commander, said: "I do not think that the council or the police have even considered the advanced technology now available which is being used to order food and drink.

"There is no control and restrictions in place on these ordering devices.

"Changing times are causing a loss of revenue and small businesses need to diversify to survive in this economic climate."

If you set your postcode on Deliveroo to Luton Road you will be shown options to buy alcoholic drinks from a number of convenience stores including the Co-Op and Morrisons.

The app also shows four restaurants from which you can order beer or wine, either on their own or as part of a meal deal.

For example, you could order a Corona beer from Bella Italia at Hempstead Valley to an address in Luton Road.

In the restaurant's terms and conditions it states orders of alcohol count as a declaration that the buyer is over 18 and ID will be requested for anyone "looking under the age of 25".

UberEats allows users to get alcohol delivered to Luton Road from shops including Asda and Shell garages as well as three restaurants.

From JustEat you can get alcohol delivered to Luton Road from Volshran Restaurant in Strood.

Mr Manchanda said if Famous Pizza were allowed to operate a delivery service including alcohol, they would only sell drinks with a delivered meal and not in store.

They would also train their drivers to regulatory standards and log any sales they refused.

The licensing panel determined Famous Pizza's application had not demonstrated any "exceptional circumstances".

The authority explained only the restaurant should be licensed to sell alcohol. The sale of alcohol is a licensable activity whereas the delivery is not and therefore delivery apps do not need to be licenced.