The Licensing Sub-Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council met on Tuesday 29 September 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for Popeyes, located at 65-67 Clarence Street, Kingston Upon Thames.

Application for a New Premises Licence for Popeyes

The primary focus of the meeting was the application for a new premises licence for Popeyes, a fast-food restaurant at 65-67 Clarence Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1RB. The applicant, PLK Chicken UK Limited, sought permission for late-night refreshments daily from 23:00 to 05:00, with customer access closing at 01:00 Sunday to Wednesday and 02:00 Thursday to Saturday, while delivery operations would continue until 05:00.

Decision: The committee withdrew to consider the application and will confirm the decision in writing to all parties within five working days.

Arguments For: The applicant's representative, Mark Browning, argued that Popeyes is an experienced operator committed to being a good neighbour. They proposed several conditions to mitigate potential issues, including CCTV, incident recording, staff training, and management of delivery drivers. They also offered to reduce the requested hours, aligning with suggestions from the Council's Lead Officer for Pollution Control. The applicant highlighted their commitment to working with the community and responsible authorities, and noted that no objections were received from the statutory responsible authorities.

Arguments Against: Representations were made by the Metropolitan Police, the Council's Lead Officer for Pollution Control (Noise), and Councillor James Giles, along with other local residents. The police objected on the grounds of undermining the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, public nuisance, and public safety. They expressed concerns about the cumulative impact of late-night refreshment venues in an already busy town centre, the potential for increased footfall and dispersal issues, and the practical management of delivery operations from a pedestrianised street.

John Sibson, the Council's Lead Officer for Pollution Control, focused on the prevention of public nuisance, stating that the requested hours did not adequately address how noise sources would be managed. He recommended reduced hours for late-night refreshment and delivery operations.

Councillor James Giles echoed concerns about public nuisance, particularly for residents living above nearby commercial properties. He highlighted the potential for noise and disturbance from delivery riders, vehicles, and congregating individuals, even with proposed conditions. He requested a substantial reduction in hours, especially for delivery activity.

Saffron Sassaroni, a resident living near the premises, detailed concerns about noise and litter from delivery drivers using a shared carport at the rear of the property. She also raised issues of safety due to a lack of lighting and CCTV in that area, and the potential for anti-social behaviour.

Outcome: The committee withdrew to discuss the application. The decision, including any modifications to hours and conditions, will be confirmed in writing to all parties within five working days. The committee acknowledged the concerns raised and aimed to balance the applicant's business needs with the well-being of local residents and the promotion of the licensing objectives.