Central London could soon get another 24-hour McDonald’s

If you’re hungover, at the end of a night shift, coming home from the club, or just craving a 3am crispy apple pie, a 24-hour Maccies can be an absolute godsend. 

One central London McDonald’s has just applied for a new 24-hour licence. The Golden Arches outpost on Victoria Street in Westminster currently opens from 5am until 2am on Thursdays and weekends, and operates from 5am to midnight on weekdays.

In the application submitted to Westminster Council, McDonald’s proposed boosting litter patrols and conducting six-monthly meets with residents and councillors to help keep everyone happy. 

However, some locals and the Metropolitan Police are not happy about the application. The Met said an all-hours Maccy Ds would lead to more crime, while the council's Environmental Health team were worried that the three extra opening hours could lead to problems with street drinkers and people sleeping rough.

One nay-sayer complained that the fast food joint attracts people who are homeless, creates litter and brings drug dealers into the area. In an objection to the licence, they wrote: ‘Keeping this facility open longer hours will only exacerbate the likelihood of this happening.

‘In addition, many residents are intimidated by the presence of the rough sleepers/drug dealers and often have to find circuitous routes home to avoid the premises even though it is directly close to their homes.’

Another neighbour said the location was a ‘magnet’ for antisocial behaviour while a third said the area was becoming ‘more and more unsafe’.

McDonalds however promised to use ‘reasonable endeavours’ to stop delivery drivers from congregating near and outside the location. The chain also proposed more extreme measures such as staff wearing body cameras and carrying mobile panic buttons. 

The chain said employees would receive comprehensive safety training and conduct regular litter patrols within a 100-metre radius of the restaurant, while security guards would continue patrolling the site as they do now.

Westminster City Council's Licensing Committee will consider the application at a meeting today (Thursday, July 24).

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