GDK had requested to close at 3am instead of 11pm on weekends, but amid local outcry councillors have approved a 1am closing time instead, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

A GDK branch in Leeds, Credit: Drtwestphal2, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The operators of the German Doner Kebab (GDK) restaurant in High Road Leytonstone, applied to Waltham Forest Council to close their doors at 3am on weekends and 1am on weekdays.

The council’s licensing committee backed the restaurant’s bid, but shortened the hours to 1am on weekends. Weekday hours will not change from the current 11pm closing time.

Concerns had been raised by neighbours that closing four hours later on weekends could bolster alleged antisocial behaviour in the area.

In a letter to the council, a High Road Leytonstone resident said that closing at 3am – which coincides with the closure of local bars – would “inevitably exacerbate” the issue as well as begging.

He added that bins are “often left” under residents’ bedroom windows, which “attracts vermin” and obstructs walkways.

Another said that the 10pm curfew on eating within the restaurant would lead to people loitering “by our flats,” despite the restaurant’s rules on dispersing customers.

“This would make me feel extremely unsafe in my home as we are in a ground floor flat,” she told the council.

In their application, the operators said they would “take all reasonable steps to ensure that our premises operates responsibly, particularly during late-night hours”.

They mentioned a “comprehensive digital colour CCTV system” that is capable of facial recognition across the entire venue as a way of mitigating noise and disorder. Staff are also trained in conflict management and “recognising and reporting suspicious behaviour”.

“Prominent, clear and legible notices” would be posted at the exits asking customers to “leave the premises and the area quietly” and to bin their litter, GDK said.

The venue is not licensed to sell alcohol and drinks or glass bottles are not allowed into the takeaway.

GDK was founded in Dubai in 2013 and has more than 160 restaurants throughout the UK, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Sweden.

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