Popeyes will now operate a delivery service until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, reports Marco Marcelline
Popeyes will be allowed to operate a delivery service at its Walthamstow High Street store until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The fast food restaurant had applied to Waltham Forest Council to extend its delivery operation from 11pm to 2am. In July, the company withdrew a bid to shut at 4am after 52 residents mounted objections.
Popeyes, which sells Louisiana-style chicken burgers, opened in Walthamstow in April last year. It is open every day from 7am to 11pm.
At a licensing committee hearing at the town hall today (5th August), councillors green-lit the application with several new conditions attached.
During the meeting, two residents expressed their concerns about the potential for antisocial behaviour, noise, and crime.
Chair of the Cleveland Park Avenue Residents Association (CPARA), Alan Smith, said he wanted the council to reject the license extension.
He said: “Residents on Cleveland Park Avenue already suffer many adverse effects due to Popeye’s proximity to the High Street.
“If delivery drivers congregate as they currently do on the pavement outside the delivery hatch, it creates an intimidating environment for those walking past. Increased delivery hours would also lead to more noise through the night from mopeds and motorbikes, often illegally modified with loud exhausts and from riders chatting and using their mobile phones.”
He added: “Nearby residents already suffer from unpleasant smells and noisy air conditioning from the premises which would continue much later.”
Speaking on behalf of Popeyes, barrister Mark Browning told the committee that the chain had “taken on board” residents’ concerns by deciding to close the restaurant to the public at 11pm.
He stated: “Walthamstow is one of the only town centres in the UK where we’ve agreed to shut early to the public at 11pm – other venues regularly shut at 2am or 3am.”
Popeyes also agreed to several conditions to the extended license. These conditions include the use of a “door host” who will ensure delivery riders are not disturbing neighbours or blocking pavements and roads with their vehicles.
Popeyes also agreed to notify drivers of orders only when they were ready to be picked up, with the intention being that it would prevent them from waiting outside the restaurant.
Stating their ‘Order Ready’ system would deter drivers from congregating around the store, Mark said: “It’s liked by delivery drivers because it means they’re not having to wait around – they’re all on zero hours contracts so it’s not in their interests to not be on the move. Our system makes a big difference to them.”
When asked by committee chair Sally Littlejohn how the chain would dissuade the public from entering the restaurant while it remained open for delivery riders, Mark said: “There will be no initiative for anyone to come inside as they’ll see the lights are off and chairs are stacked on top of tables. It will very obviously be closed.”
Popeyes was additionally criticised by councillor Richard Sweden for “not bothering” to meet with concerned residents, with Mark responding by saying it would have taken “weeks” due to the number of objections, calling the suggestion impractical.
Speaking to the Echo following the meeting, resident Ralph Meanley said he wasn’t convinced that Popeyes would be able to enforce the agreed conditions.
He said: “Delivery riders are third party contractors so Popeyes can’t actually control what vehicle they use, where they wait for orders, or where they park – they will do what they want. Ultimately these conditions are just words on paper.”
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