Extra night hours for Fulham Broadway Wendy’s – which resists ‘den of iniquity’ tag

American fast food chain Wendy’s has been granted a variation of its Fulham branch’s premises licence though denied the late-night hours sought.

The premises, which is on Fulham Road by the Broadway station, had requested permission to remain open until 1am Sunday to Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday.

Its existing licence enabled it to operate until 12.30am Monday to Saturday, and 11.30pm on Sundays.

Residents had rallied against the proposal, which they claimed would lead to worsening crime and antisocial behaviour issues.

The chain had initially asked to extend its hours until 5am seven-days-a-week, though following correspondence with the Met Police licensing team it amended the application.

Eight additional conditions were also proposed, including ensuring an incident log is maintained and public WiFi be turned off after midnight.

A total of 28 objections were submitted in response to the licensing application. None of these were withdrawn despite the reduced opening hours.

A representative for Vanston Place Management Company, on behalf of the residents living in Dungannon House, wrote: “Our residents are concerned about the potential increase in unsavoury and anti-social behaviour around Fulham Broadway. Leading to increased crime particularly regarding drug use and dealing.

“As a lone woman I am aware that the area around the Broadway changes after about 11pm/midnight and becomes a place where I feel ill at ease and concerned about my welfare.”

Gary Grant, a barrister representing residents at Hammersmith and Fulham council’s licensing sub-committee meeting, said the local authority’s existing policy stipulates a closing time for premises in the area of 1am Friday and Saturday and midnight the rest of the week.

He told councillors the extended hours would add to the area’s ‘existing woes’, in particular due to late-night delivery drivers, as highlighted in the objections filed against the proposal.

Karen Pownall was among the residents to speak on the evening, telling the sub-committee: “It’s been a restaurant that venue for as long as I can remember, and the hours shouldn’t be any later than the previous restaurant. We can’t have a situation where people are congregating there when everyone else has closed.”

Andrew Crimmin, operations manager at GH Burgers, a Wendy’s franchise partner in the UK, pushed back on some of the claims regarding the impact the later hours would have on public nuisance.

Noting Wendy’s is one of a larger number of local takeaway options, he said the additional volume which would come as a result of the requested hours would be minimal, and would not make a significant difference. He added the venue currently operates until 11pm.

Mr Crimmin said: “If you walk up and down the Fulham Broadway there actually are quite a lot of empty units, and in those empty units you’ll find people squatting, people causing trouble. Having a bright lit premises with staff that care about their customers, with people there to report crimes and witness crimes, actually I think prevents them happening.

“I don’t think that the actual characterisation of us as a den of iniquity, a place that is going to cause trouble is fair.”

The sub-committee resolved to implement seven of the conditions proposed by the Police Licensing team to enable the premises to open between 8am and midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1am Friday and Saturday, plus an additional three conditions, including meetings to be arranged with residents at least twice a year. The sale of alcohol has also been removed from the licence.

Wendy’s has been approached for comment.

Picture: Pixabay/Chil Vera