Fulham Broadway Wetherspoons Faces Opposition
Labour's parliamentary candidate Ben Coleman joins residents in objecting
The building on Fulham Road was most recently used as a food court. Picture: Google Streetview
June 18, 2024
A former ticket office by Fulham Broadway Station is being eyed up to become JD Wetherspoon’s latest pub. The chain is looking to turn the building into a two-storey pub and restaurant, with the application stating it will offer ‘no music and a substantial food offer’.
A total of 20 objections were received during consultation, including one from local councillor and Deputy Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Labour’s candidate for the Chelsea and Fulham constituency, Ben Coleman, raising concerns about crime and young people accessing the glass roof. The local authority’s Licensing Sub-Committee is next week (18 June) due to make a decision on the submission.
Originally used as a ticket office, the building was most recently utilised as a food court. The requested opening hours for the premises are 8am to midnight Sunday to Thursday, and 11pm to 1am Friday and Saturday. Alcohol is to be sold until 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday, and 12.30am Friday and Saturday, with late-night refreshment also to be provided indoors and outdoors.
In his submission, Cllr Coleman wrote that ‘many residents’ had questioned the midnight closing time due to crime and disorder concerns, and that he expects the applicant to address this. He continued, “Second, I am concerned about the possibility of children and young people being able to access the glass roof of the proposed premises via adjoining dangerous roofscapes.
“I understand that residents have already made detailed representations about this and have asked for the applicant to bring local building owners/freeholders together to address it. I would expect the applicant to wish to do this to ensure young people’s safety.”
Other objectors echoed Cllr Coleman’s concerns regarding crime, with several representations noting local pubs recently being squatted in as evidence of disorder in the area. The request to sell alcohol after midnight was a point of particular contention.
One objector wrote, “In the three years that I and my husband have lived near the Fulham Broadway end of Barclay Road, we and our neighbours have been subjected to crime and disorder caused by excessive and late drinking. We need the assistance of LB Hammersmith and Fulham to start dialling back the levels of crime and disorder we are seeing on any given weekday or weekend. Late hours are a particular problem – please please do not grant a licence allowing the sale of alcohol after midnight at the Old Market Hall in Fulham Road.”
A representation was also submitted from a local resident supporting the application, who wrote the area is in need of more affordable drinking and eating spots. “We need simple, pub grub, with a pint that’s not a party place, that’s not going to cost north of £30 for 2 people, and the staffing at JD Wetherspoon’s will exceed the staffing numbers at the 3 local pubs combined.”
Currently, the nearest Wetherspoon’s in the borough are the William Morris and Plough and Harrow, both located in Hammersmith.
Ben Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter