Fast-food restaurant can open later despite concerns

A fast-food restaurant has been given the go-ahead to extend its opening hours - despite concerns from neighbours about potential disturbance.

The KFC branch in Greenbridge Retail Park, Swindon, has been told by Wiltshire Council it can now open from 10:00 to 05:00 every day - five hours later than its previous closing time of midnight.

A letter from nearby residents said they feared "further noise disturbance" from loud music, cars revving their engines and "prolonged use of horns."

Demipower Ltd, which runs the KFC franchise at Greenbridge, said no concerns had been raised by police and noted the restaurant's location in a retail park as opposed to a residential area.

Demipower's solicitor Piers Warne told the council's licensing sub-committee the branch would be careful to make sure further disturbance did not take place.

He added: "This is a restaurant not a music venue."

The extension of opening hours means the workforce at the KFC is due to increase from 48 to 55 people. The sub-committee took a few minutes to grant the late-night licence on Tuesday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

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