McDonald’s eyes all-night hours in Leicester Square

COUNCILLORS are set to decide whether Leicester Square McDonald’s will be allowed to open until 5am in spite of objections from the Met Police.

The Capital Arches Group, the franchise company that runs the fast food restaurant in the heart of the West End said that since the pandemic there has been an “increased demand” for through-the-night takeaway.

The application has offered a series of conditions in return for the late opening hours but council officers said these “may be insufficient”.

In an official objection, the Met’s licensing rep PC Steve Muldoon said: “The late-night hours are a concern to the police as there are issues surrounding both crime and anti-social behaviour around in the direct vicinity of the premises. “The premises is located in Leicester Square and as such is in the Westminster cumulative impact area.”

A statement from anunnamed director from the Capital Arches Group – which runs 38 McDonalds across the country – said: “The crime context of Leicester Square is acknowledged. However, crime attribution data establishes that crime in this area is associated with transport hubs and crowd movement, not with licensed premises, and the London Nightlife Taskforce confirms that late-night crime is associated not with nightlife spaces but with busy areas and increased footfall. On the evidence before this sub-committee, it is more likely than not that McDonald’s operation does not causally contribute to crime in Leicester Square.”

The statement added: “Since Covid there has been a significant shift in the night-time economy in Central London related to a change in working habits and changing consumer behaviour. As a result, there is an increased demand in the West End for late night refreshment throughout the night and early morning hours over seven days a week. Those who live, work or visit London increasingly expect the West End, as the principal entertainment and activity zone in one of the World’s greatest cities, to operate 24/7, in common with many of its global rivals.”

The council’s licensing committee met yesterday (Thursday) to discuss McDonald’s application for extended opening hours, and a decision is expected to be made next week.