North End Road’s residents mobilise to resist McDonald’s bid to stay open all hours

West London campaigners are seeking funds to help pay for legal representation as they fight plans for a 24/7 McDonald’s near their homes.

Fulham residents claim the American fast-food chain’s application for its North End Road restaurant would heap pressure on the police and affect locals’ livelihoods.

One has claimed McDonald’s does a “poor job” preventing nuisance and that the area has been “desecrated with crime-attracting takeaways”.

The North End Road site, which is a ten-minute walk from Fulham Broadway station, has an existing licence permitting it to remain open until midnight.

If approved by Hammersmith and Fulham council’s licensing sub-committee later this month, the application would enable it to extend its hours to open 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and sell food and drink to customers round the clock.

The application has drawn the ire of some residents who believe it would lead to spikes in crime and public nuisance.

Sarah Chambers, chair of the Walham Green Met Police/Community Ward Panel, said: “Big Macs after midnight would increase the pressure on local police officers at a time when the Met is facing more than £200 million of cuts. In addition, 24/7 hours would lead to daily disturbance for residents trying to sleep.

“The residential density of this area is four times the London average, with families living cheek by jowl with commercial premises.”

Residents’ group FulhamTogether has launched a GoFundMe page asking for donations to help pay for legal representation at the upcoming licensing meeting. A target of £9,000 has been set, with over £5,000 raised so far.

The page reads: “All donations will directly support legal fees. It’s not cheap, but going up against BigMac McDonald’s requires the strongest legal support. Granting this licence would set a damaging precedent, encouraging other applications for late-night businesses across Fulham and threatening the peace and safety of our Fulham neighbourhoods.”

Charlotte Dexter, who lives locally, said: “This part of Fulham is densely residential, almost four times the London average. The Licensing Act was [not intended] to force licensing committees to allow our residential neighbourhoods to be desecrated with crime-attracting takeaways for the sake of treating businesses with a ‘soft-touch’, as long as they promise to do their best to prevent crime and nuisance.

“McD’s does a poor job of preventing nuisance and preventing crime has nothing to do with their expertise, flipping burgers.”

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “McDonald’s on North End Road Fulham is, by the Met Police’s admission, a ‘crime hot-spot’. Dealing with crime associated with McD takes up a disproportionate amount of police resources. Extending the opening hours of a notorious crime spot will inevitably result in more crime.”

A McDonald’s spokesman said: “We are committed to being a responsible and considerate neighbour within our local community. Our application to extend the operating hours of our North End Road restaurant is intended to provide greater flexibility and convenience for our customers — including key workers and late-night commuters. We are actively engaging with residents, stakeholders, and the licensing authority to address any concerns they may have.”

The licensing sub-committee meeting is scheduled for May 28.

Pictured top: McDonald’s on North End Road, Fulham (Picture: LDRS)