Earl’s Court is seeing a growing trend of late-night applications with residents warning that the area is being reshaped by a creeping 24-hour economy.
McDonald’s has applied for permission from Kensington and Chelsea Council to operate around the clock on Earl’s Court Road, as kebab shop Star Kebab has also requested approval to stay open until 5am at weekends.
These decisions follow a rejected bid in October by Admiral Casino to run a 24-hour gaming venue, and come on top of the Adult Gaming Centre Silver Time already trading through the night.
Councillor for Earl’s Court, Linda Wade said: “Every decision has a consequence – where in this are the residents?
“Burger King means you get McDonald’s, which means you get others and then you get the bikes, the food waste, the extractions.”
Campaigners argue the cumulative impact is leaving locals feeling unsafe and powerless, with nearly 170 objections lodged against McDonald’s and 112 letters of opposition for Star Kebab’s application.
One person who supported Star Kebab’s application wrote: “As someone who lives and travels within this area, I believe granting extended hours to this establishment would provide meaningful benefits to the local community.
“Many people, including late-shift workers, travellers arriving after hours, and residents out for late meals, rely on safe, clean, and well-managed food establishments that operate beyond typical closing times.”
McDonald’s have said that it has systems in place to promote the local licensing objectives and promised to hire security guards ‘when required’.
The fast-food chain will also provide staff with mobile panic buttons and will train staff on the legal requirements and restrictions on running 24/7 and on substance abuse awareness.
McDonald’s will also carry out litter patrols, implement a dispersal policy and a policy to minimise the disturbance to residents caused by delivery drivers.
Admiral Casino is expected to appeal Kensington and Chelsea Council’s decision to block its bid for a 24‑hour licence on Earl’s Court Road and will be holding a resident engagement meeting in the new year.
Earls Court Society Chair Francesco Zibellini said: “We don’t want Earl’s Court to be a mini Las Vegas.
“Fast forward, this promotion of the night time economy will step by step – even if by tiny steps – will actually transform into that.”
Councillor Wade also highlighted that around 50% of Kensington and Chelsea’s social housing is concentrated in Earl’s Court, warning this leaves a particularly vulnerable community exposed to gambling.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea currently enforces a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) targeting anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the Earl’s Court ward.
The concern comes as the long-awaited redevelopment of the Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre has been approved – promising 4,000 homes, a cultural venue and retail space.
Councillor Wade added: “In the Officers Report it repeatedly says that the Exhibition Centre will have a negative impact on Earls Court Road so the question is are we going to take this opportunity to reverse this trend?
“We have six years in order to be able to achieve a new identity, a new vision and it requires everybody to be a part of it and that includes licensing and planning.”
Featured image credit: John Cameron via Unsplash
