A McDonald's branch in Central London is seeking permission to extend its opening hours until 2.30am every day, sparking concerns among local residents about noise and disorder. The Edgware Road restaurant currently closes at midnight on weekdays and 2.30am on weekends, but the new application aims to align weekday hours with weekend hours.
Background of the application
In 2023, Westminster City Council rejected a previous proposal for the McDonald's to open until 5am seven days a week. The then-operator, Capital Arches Group, appealed and reached an out-of-court settlement allowing operations until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. Last autumn, new operator Kylu Ltd took over the licence and is now behind the latest submission. The application also originally requested 24-hour trading during December and on Eid, but that request was withdrawn by the owner and operator, Reema Mavani.
Residents' and police concerns
Objections were filed by the Metropolitan Police, Westminster council, and numerous residents and local groups. PC Muldoon wrote: "I have concerns the application in its current form would likely undermine the licensing objectives and would likely contribute to an increase in crime. The area in the direct vicinity of the premises has suffered several recent violence related offences and the venue being open for the additional hours would likely contribute further to these offences."
Local Marylebone councillors raised concerns about stretched police resources, while the Committee of the Harrowby and District Residents' Association (HDRA) warned that existing operations already result in "vast numbers of delivery drivers" and other issues. One resident, speaking at a Westminster City Council Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on July 23, described delivery drivers as a "scourge" and cautioned against anything that might exacerbate the problem.
Applicant's proposed measures
In response to concerns, Ms Mavani proposed additional measures, including body-worn cameras for staff and delivery driver management. She told councillors that the Edgware Road premises is designated a safe haven by the council, where people can seek help if they feel unsafe, and that extended hours would allow the McDonald's to offer refuge later. "Every reasonable step has been taken to address the concerns that have been raised, and the question before members is not whether Edgware Road is experiencing challenges, it simply does," she said. "The question is whether granting this careful, amended application…is likely to undermine the licensing objectives."
Local residents' testimonies
Steven Thomas, Chair of the HDRA, praised the engagement by Ms Mavani but warned that the mitigations were insufficient. On the issue of delivery drivers, he said: "It feels like such a faint promise, that they can be controlled. Their bikes are their only source of livelihood, so how confident can we be that they will abandon their bikes on the street and just go inside, particularly late at night?"
David Strang, another local resident, said he had initially been neutral but changed his mind. He told the sub-committee that delivery drivers are "a scourge in our area, frankly, and anything that adds to the prospect of more delivery riders in our area, congregating outside, creating noise…even at 2.30 in the morning, is really something which we do not want to do." He also referenced recent World Cup disorder, when football fans caused chaos after Morocco lost to France in the quarter final. "It was quite shocking," he said. "And again, it’s not a McDonald’s problem, it’s adding to an existing problem. The street is very, very carefully balanced. It tips over sometimes, too often already, into disorder and violence, and what we don’t want to do is to add to that."
Decision pending
Cllr Barbara Arzymanow, a Conservative member for the Marylebone ward, reiterated concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour. She noted that Edgware Road is a special consideration zone surrounded by residential streets already suffering from ASB, knife crime, and drug dealing. She added there is a fear the McDonald's would become a destination if granted later hours, potentially opening the floodgates for more late-night applications. A decision is due to be published by the sub-committee within five days of the meeting.
