Fast food chain apply for 24-hour licence in West London

A Burger King store has applied for a 24-hour licence in a “very quiet” West London neighbourhood.

The fast food giant said it has considered the impact of the proposed new opening hours and didn’t feel it would increase the risk of crime, noise or public nuisance in Gloucester Road, South Kensington.

In an application submitted to Kensington and Chelsea Council, Burger King wrote: “No further steps will be necessary to promote the licensing objectives, and the existing measures will continue.”

Kensington and Chelsea Council’s noise and licensing team has objected to the application saying the restaurant, which is situated on a street mainly filled with commercial properties, was near a number of residential roads which are “fully residential and very quiet in nature despite the location”.

They also said Burger King has not fully shown how the proposed opening times would meet local licensing objectives, such as the avoidance of public nuisance. A member of the team wrote: “I have concerns regarding noise affecting the residential properties in the area. Therefore, I object to the application requesting that the applicants should revise their application.”

The council is calling on the fast food giant to ditch a request to allow customers to eat indoors until 5am and to impose strict conditions on delivery drivers to stop them disrupting nearby residents.

Officers have also requested an outright ban on music and amplified sound on the premises and hourly litter patrols within a 20-metre radius. They also want staff to be trained in substance abuse awareness.

Burger King has applied to run takeaways 24/7 and allow customers to eat in until 5am. The popular takeaway joint currently runs from 6am to 3am Sunday to Thursday and until 4am between Friday and Saturday.

The council will review the licence request at a meeting on Thursday, May 22.

PICTURE: GOOGLE