Members of the Cleveland Park Residents’ Association say they were able to purchase food at the fast food outlet at 11.21pm last month, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
A major restaurant chain in Walthamstow has been accused of “cynically” breaching its licence by serving food late into the night.
Members of the Cleveland Park Residents’ Association say Popeyes, in High Street Walthamstow, has been serving customers beyond its hours.
Waltham Forest Council granted the restaurant permission in early August to serve customers in-store until 11pm. Delivery drivers can pick up collections from a dedicated serving hatch until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays only.
A photo, taken at 11.15pm on Friday, 26th September and seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), shows seated customers eating in the restaurant.
The LDRS has also seen receipt proof from two members of the residents’ association who were able to purchase food at 11.21pm.
A spokesperson for the local group said they “condemned Popeyes’ cynicism in breaching its licence” and urged the council to “impose a strict penalty on the company for the breaches and ensure they are enforced and respected by the restaurant”.
Popeyes was contacted for comment.
The association reported the incident to the town hall last month. The council says it has spoken with the restaurant’s legal team, but did not find any evidence of wrongdoing during an unannounced visit earlier this month.
Cllr Khevyn Limbajee, the cabinet member for community safety, said: “Under the terms of the Licensing Act 2003, our enforcement of potential licensing breaches follows a stepped approach. This begins with informal engagement with businesses before any escalation to formal action in cases of serious or repeated non-compliance.
“In line with this approach, we have liaised with the licensee of Popeyes Walthamstow through their legal representative to remind them of their responsibilities.
“During an unannounced follow-up visit on Friday, 17th October after 11pm, the restaurant was found to be closed with its doors locked. We will continue to monitor compliance with licence conditions for Popeyes and all licensed venues in Waltham Forest.”
Popeyes had originally applied to run deliveries until 4am but 52 residents objected.
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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