Push-back Against 24/7 McDonald's on North End Road
Residents fear application would increase disruption and crime
McDonald's on North End Road, Fulham already opens until midnight
April 10, 2025
Fulham residents have warned against ‘Big Macs after midnight’ after McDonald’s applied for 24/7 opening hours and the sale of food and drink until 5am at a prominent site.
The North End Road premises currently has permission to sell ‘late night refreshment’ and remain open until midnight, though has applied to the local council to vary its licence.
The request has drawn the ire of some residents, who say approval would put more pressure on police and affect locals’ livelihoods.
Sarah Chambers, Chair of the Walham Green Met Police/Community Ward Panel, said the 24/7 opening of McDonald’s would exacerbate crime and antisocial behaviour issues in the only official Met-designated hotspot in Fulham.
Ms Chambers said, “Big Macs after midnight would increase the pressure on local police officers at a time when the Met is facing more than £200 million of cuts. In addition, 24/7 hours would lead to daily disturbance for residents trying to sleep.
“The residential density of this area is four times the London average, with families living cheek by jowl with commercial premises.”
Charlotte Dexter, a Fulham resident, added she is concerned about the potential impact on schoolchildren from the nearby Clement Attlee Estate and that she fears the premises will end up becoming a West London delivery hub.
“Big Macs after midnight would put more pressure on the Met Police and create unending nuisance for residents trying to sleep after 11pm,” she said.
“Closing at midnight is a minimum to prevent more crime and antisocial behaviour. Fulham only has four main commercial roads; they are quickly being taken over by takeaways that push out from Fulham after midnight speeding over two key bridges and beyond.”
A spokesperson for McDonald’s said: “Our Fulham restaurant has been trading until midnight for over eight years now and we know that there is demand amongst our local community for us to be open later. A 24-hour license would allow us to provide an even better service to those who live and work near our restaurant. We look forward to working with the council to finalise the application process.”
The public consultation on McDonald’s application, which can be found on Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s website, is to run until May 6.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee recently denied a nearby Wendy’s permission to open until 3am on weekends and 1am midweek.
Closing times of midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1am Friday and Saturday were instead agreed after representations, including from Ms Chambers, cited concerns about crime and public nuisance.
Ben Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter