The Licensing Panel C of Camden Council was scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Wendy's, located at 189-191 Camden High Street, London NW1 7BP. The application sought to extend the hours for late-night refreshment from midnight (Sunday to Thursday) and 1 am (Friday and Saturday) to 5 am seven days a week. The meeting also had a report concerning an application to vary the premises licence for KFC at 53 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JH.

Wendy's, 189-191 Camden High Street, London NW1 7BP

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application to vary the premises licence for Wendy's in Camden Town. The proposed variation would extend the hours for late-night refreshment from the current hours of 11 pm to midnight (Sunday to Thursday) and 11 pm to 1 am (Friday and Saturday) to 11 pm to 5 am, seven days a week. The application also proposed amendments to conditions, including the prohibition of external speakers, the display of notices advising customers about leaving into a residential area, instructions for delivery drivers to wait inside, a commitment to keeping the external area clear of litter, and a requirement to continue risk assessing the need for SIA security during extended hours.

The report pack indicated that eleven relevant representations were received concerning this application. Eight of these representations opposed the application, coming from the Police, the Licensing Authority, Environmental Health, two local councillors, two resident associations, and one resident. Three representations supported the application, submitted by residents.

The application engaged Camden's Statement of Licensing Policy 2025-2030, specifically concerning the licensing objectives of the prevention of public nuisance, public safety, the prevention of crime and disorder, and the protection of children from harm. The policy's framework hours for licences not including the sale or supply of alcohol, which suggest a midnight closing time on weekdays and 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays, were also relevant. The policy's principles on women's safety and its premises policy for late-night refreshment venues were also noted as being engaged.

The report pack included supplementary expert statements from Sylvia Oates of Six Till Six and Darrell Butterworth, a Licensing and Security Consultant. These statements provided opinions on the application within the context of national, London-wide, and local policies, and detailed observations from multiple visits to the premises and the surrounding area during various times and days. The expert statements discussed the potential positive contributions of the proposed operation to safeguarding, a balanced night-time economy, managed late-night spaces, the public realm, and alignment with best practices.

The report also detailed representations from the Police, Environmental Health, and local residents and councillors. The Police representation opposed the application, citing concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety, particularly in relation to the challenging nature of the Camden Town night-time economy and the potential for increased crime and anti-social behaviour. Environmental Health also raised concerns about the prevention of public nuisance, particularly regarding noise, litter, and the impact on nearby residential premises, noting that the application breached Camden's framework hours policy. Representations from local councillors and resident groups echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential for increased noise, litter, and anti-social behaviour, and expressing a lack of confidence in the operation of the premises.

Conversely, some representations supported the application, with individuals citing a desire for more late-night food options and expressing confidence in Wendy's existing safety measures, such as CCTV, security staff, and litter management.

KFC, 53 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JH

The Licensing Panel was also scheduled to consider a report concerning an application to vary the premises licence for KFC at 53 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JH. The proposed variation sought to amend the hours for late-night refreshment and opening hours. Specifically, it aimed to extend late-night refreshment hours to midnight (Monday to Thursday), 12:30 am (Friday and Saturday), and 11 pm (Sunday), with delivery and takeaway services permitted until 2 am daily. The application also sought to remove a condition restricting deliveries and collections between 10 pm and 8 am, and to amend the opening hours to 10 am to 2 am, Monday to Sunday.

Representations opposing this application were received from Environmental Health, a resident association, and a local resident. These representations primarily focused on the prevention of public nuisance, citing concerns about noise, litter, and the impact of delivery scooters. The Police initially raised concerns but later agreed to terms with the applicant, focusing on delivery-only operations during the extended hours. The application also engaged Camden's framework hours policy and premises policies for restaurants, cafes, and late-night refreshment venues.

The report pack included the application form, current premises licence, relevant representations, and conditions consistent with the operating schedule. The Police representation indicated an agreement on delivery-only operations between midnight and 2 am (Monday to Thursday), 12:30 am and 2 am (Friday and Saturday), and 11 pm and 2 am (Sunday). Environmental Health also proposed a set of conditions related to courier access, delivery times, vehicle parking, refuse management, and noise and odour control, in exchange for withdrawing their representation.