Residents say the town centre site already causes rubbish to be “strewn everywhere”
A Bromley town centre McDonald’s wants to stay open until 5am but nearby residents already complain of the area being “plagued with discarded McDonald’s debris strewn everywhere”.
The fast food giant has applied to extend the opening hours of its restaurant at 1-3 Market Square in Bromley. It currently closes at 3am, but McDonald’s wants to extend this until 5am on Fridays and Saturdays.
It also wants to remove a condition that means it has to employ two members of security staff at night, reducing it to just one.
This premises licence application will be considered by Bromley Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee on July 9. McDonald’s has already agreed several premises licence conditions with the Metropolitan Police, including the reduction in security staff.
The application has garnered four objections from members of the public. Those opposed to the proposal fear the later opening hours will encourage late-night revellers to congregate in the Market Square, increasing the potential for anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance.
One objector said that Bromley town centre was already “an uncomfortable environment at night” and feared the opening hour extension would exacerbate this.
They also said that residential streets close by were already “plagued with discarded McDonald’s debris strewn everywhere”.
Appearing confused about the plans for fewer security guards, another objector said: “Having additional security on site will not prevent anti-social behaviour in the surrounding area. I presume McDonald’s are expecting troubled behaviour in their outlet for them to employ additional security.
“We no longer have a regular police presence in the town centre at night. There will be an increase in litter as customers regularly leave McDonald’s cups and rubbish in the town centre and residential streets.”
All three Bromley Town councillors have objected to McDonald’s request to stay open later. Cllr Julie Ireland said: “We feel that extending the hours to overnight will have a detrimental effect on local residents, in terms of noise, litter and anti social behaviour.
“We also think the restaurant would become a magnet for late night crowds, especially when pubs and bars have closed. Apart from the effect on local residents, it would involve an extra strain on the police and of course require additional street cleaning.”
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