Fast food joint Popeyes had applied in June to amend its operating hours to 7am until 4am but faced over 50 complaints from locals, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

Main credit: Eiliv Aceron on Unsplash, Inset credit: Samir yasif on Unsplash

More than 50 residents have pushed back against a Walthamstow fast food restaurant’s bid to close in the early hours.

The international chain Popeyes applied in June to Waltham Forest Council to amend its operating hours from 8am until 10pm to 7am until 4am.

The venue opened in April last year and sells Louisiana-style chicken burgers, tenders and various Cajun-style sides.

After receiving overwhelming local pushback, the restaurant has now proposed closing at 11pm and operating its delivery service, through an external hatch, until 2am.

A total of 52 locals submitted formal objections to the scheme and it has also been challenged by the council’s licensing department.

One resident, living in Vintry Mews, said there was “no need for such a late night venue”. She said: “It will bring noise, disruption, mess [and] litter, and antisocial behaviour in the nearby residential area.”

Another wrote: “Why? What possible benefit could there be to Walthamstow and this community for this establishment to stay open until 4am and what possible need is there for it?”

A long-time resident of Cleveland Park Avenue said she had dealt with a “level of noise and odour nuisance I could not have anticipated” and “dreaded” the prospect of it continuing into the early hours.

“I am a carer for a disabled person and I really need my sleep,” she added.

Popeyes is one of several popular evening venues in the area. It is situated near the newly opened Forest Cinema and other chain eateries including Nando’s and Turtle Bay.

The popular venue said it will “ensure its operations do not impact [residents’] main concerns,” including noise from diners and delivery drivers, litter, cooking smells, and people congregating outside the restaurant late at night “where there is a small associated risk for violence and antisocial behaviour”.

In a bid to mitigate noise and disruption, the restaurant says it will maintain a CCTV system in and around the building and keep a log to track any incidents on the premises.

Staff will also manage delivery drivers to “ensure they do not cause a nuisance” and prevent patrons congregating outside. Notices will be posted around the restaurant requesting drivers “do not loiter” and “leave in a quiet and orderly manner”.

Additionally, anyone carrying alcohol drinks would not be allowed inside and it will be a ‘glass-free’ venue.

The Walthamstow restaurant is one of 65 Popeyes in the UK and Ireland.

The chain was founded in the US state of Louisiana in 1972.

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