McDonald’s has filed an appeal against a West London council’s decision to deny one of its restaurants a 3am closing time.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee rejected the application for the North End Road premises in a marathon 5.5-hour meeting back in May.
McDonald’s had initially asked for permission to vary its existing licence, which currently enables it to open the Fulham restaurant until midnight, to allow the restaurant to operate 24/7. The fast-food chain however amended the application to close at 1am Sunday to Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday following discussions with the Met Police.
But with 160 objections filed by residents alongside three letters of support, the council refused the later hours.
McDonald’s had claimed the additional hours would provide greater flexibility for its customers, though concerns about the proposal were raised by locals who raised thousands for legal support to fight it.
At the sub-committee meeting, a number of residents raised objections alongside local councillors Lydia Paynter and Trey Campbell-Simon and a representative speaking on behalf of the Chelsea and Fulham MP Ben Coleman.
Jeremy Phillips KC, legal counsel for some of the objectors, said he cannot remember being involved in a licensing application with such opposition.
One resident, Matt Lowen, claimed McDonald’s is a key contributor to worsening antisocial behaviour (ASB) in the area.
“It’s my belief that by extending the operational hours of McDonald’s it’s only going to widen the window of ASB to occur, whether it be these groups of youths or whether it be those drinking in alcohol-led premises, resulting in increased call-outs to the already stretched police force,” he told the sub-committee.
Cllr Paynter, representing Lillie ward, said residents had regularly spoken to her about McDonald’s operations, claiming issues such as excessive noise and late-night traffic from delivery drivers had led to the site “becoming a crime hotspot”.
She added that granting the additional hours before such issues were brought under control would “do a disservice to residents and the local community”.
Following the meeting a McDonald’s spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) they “respect the council’s decision regarding our request to extend the opening hours of our North End Road restaurant and remain committed to serving our community within our current operating hours”.
Applicants, or anyone else unhappy with a decision made by a licensing authority, can appeal to the magistrates’ court within 21 days of a decision notice being issued.
The LDRS understands McDonald’s has chosen to do so, and has seen email correspondence from the Courts and Tribunal Service confirming the appeal.
McDonald’s has applied for a number of 24/7 licences across London. This includes for its Victoria Street premises, the application for which went before Westminster City Council on Thursday (July 24). A decision notice is yet to be published.
Residents in Earl’s Court meanwhile are campaigning against a number of licensing applications including a 24/7 McDonald’s submission, claiming approvals would result in “more all-night noise and disturbance” and “drunk and disorderly and addiction-related incidents”.
McDonald’s was approached for further comment.
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