KFC granted 5am licence despite noise concerns

KFC has been granted a licence to serve food at one of its restaurants all night until 05:00.

Neighbours had submitted letters to Chelmsford City Council saying they were concerned the licence, for the drive-through in Broomfield Road, would disturb their sleep and lead to anti-social behaviour.

The restaurant already had permission to open between 06:00 and 00:30.

Following a committee meeting on Monday, council spokesperson said the new permission was granted on the basis that KFC operated as a "good neighbour".

They said the company had withdrawn its reference to "playing recorded music" during the newly granted opening hours.

At the council's licensing committee meeting, KFC representative Michael Phipps said anyone being noisy would be told to move on.

"Where there are issues, we are entirely committed to ensuring they are resolved as quickly and as smoothly as possible," he said.

A licensing committee spokesperson said it expected any customers who caused "unacceptable noise or other disturbance" in the car park, to be moved on.

"The committee expects the applicant to abide by the commitment it gave in the course of its submissions to operate as a good neighbour and to take any complaints of noise or other public nuisance seriously," they continued.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.