Cheltenham Borough Council has approved a licence variation allowing the KFC outlet at 100 High Street to operate until 4am daily, extending its previous late-night opening hours.
The fast-food restaurant had formerly been permitted to serve hot food and drinks until midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. However, an application to extend these hours to 4am every day sparked significant safety concerns from Gloucestershire Constabulary.
Police outlined their objections during the licensing hearing on 21 September, highlighting the establishment’s location within a “volatile flashpoint” in the town centre’s night-time economy. PC Lee Walter described the area around the KFC as a “highly sensitive bottleneck” where groups of intoxicated individuals sometimes clash.
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Acknowledging some concessions made by the applicant, including closing and securing the first floor seating area from 7pm, daily door supervision during Cheltenham Racecourse meeting days, and supervision from 7pm until closing on Fridays and Saturdays, PC Walter nevertheless maintained the force’s objection to the new 4am closing time and late-night deliveries on public safety grounds.
He expressed concerns that operating throughout the early hours encourages patrons to congregate around the venue rather than dispersing naturally after leaving nearby night-time establishments, increasing the likelihood of conflict. Delivery activity was also cited as a hazard, with vehicles potentially mounting pavements and double parking near Bath Road, creating severe safety risks for pedestrians, many of whom may be under the influence.
The police reference tragic historical incidents, including the death of a 19-year-old woman struck by a vehicle after leaving a venue in the early hours, emphasising the serious nature of these risks. PC Walter suggested that restricting licensing hours to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays might be a more manageable compromise.
Representing the applicant, a spokesperson noted agreement on eight of ten proposed conditions with the police but maintained the request for the 4am licence. They highlighted that some police demands sought to control matters beyond the licence holder’s remit.
The franchisee, NNA Limited, under owner Gerard Nicholas, has operated KFC outlets in Cheltenham for over 50 years. The representative stated the business is committed to being a responsible neighbour and providing a safe environment during vulnerable hours, especially for women and girls. The premises feature 56 CCTV cameras, including four external, and have a minimum of seven staff on duty during late hours.
It was noted the applicant’s previous operations within the same night-time economy zone had not raised police concerns. The licensing sub-committee ultimately granted the licence variation as applied for, including the additional conditions agreed with the police to help mitigate safety risks.
This decision allows the KFC to serve late-night customers until 4am every day, balancing business interests with public safety considerations in Cheltenham’s busy town centre.