A new KFC restaurant in New Malden has been granted a licence to operate, but with a series of strict conditions imposed by Kingston upon Thames Council's Licensing Sub-Committee. The decision, made on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, followed objections from local residents and a ward councillor concerned about public nuisance and crime.

The application, submitted by Clokken Limited for the premises at Dawson House, 131-135 High Street, New Malden, sought permission for late-night refreshments from 11pm to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Crucially, after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant would only operate a delivery and collection service, with no customer access.

A street view of the High Street in New Malden, featuring KFC and Starbucks storefronts.
A street view of the High Street in New Malden, featuring KFC and Starbucks storefronts.

During the hearing, KFC's agent, Matthew Phipps, argued that the company was an experienced operator and that the proposed hours were within the council's licensing policy. He stated that concerns raised by residents had been addressed, leading to agreed conditions such as regular litter patrols and a direct contact number for residents.

However, objectors, including residents from Sussex Close and Charnwood Close, and Councillor James Giles, raised significant concerns. Issues cited included noise and odour from the extractor fan, litter and fly-tipping in the rear alleyway, and the potential for increased anti-social behaviour and noise from delivery drivers during extended hours.

Councillor Giles specifically worried about delivery riders and drivers causing noise from idling engines and potential illegal parking on pavements. Residents also reported issues with waste collection lorries arriving as early as 5 am with reversing alarms.

Delivery Driver Conditions

To address concerns about delivery drivers, specific measures will be implemented. Delivery drivers will be obliged to adhere to a code of conduct designed to control and limit sound generation. This includes lawful and legitimate parking of vehicles, turning off engines while waiting, keeping noise to a minimum, not congregating near residential property, and utilising litter facilities outside the premises. After midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, delivery drivers must wait inside the premises. Furthermore, after 11:00 pm on any day, delivery drivers and riders must park vehicles to the front of the premises on the High Street.

Photograph of the rear bin area of a KFC premises, presented as evidence during a licensing sub-committee meeting.
Photograph of the rear bin area of a KFC premises, presented as evidence during a licensing sub-committee meeting.

Litter Patrols and Monitoring

Patrols of the area within the curtilage to the front of the premises will be undertaken at regular intervals in the final hour before closing each night, with any litter accumulations cleared. The council will monitor and enforce these conditions, particularly regarding litter patrols and delivery driver behaviour after midnight. The meeting information states that If there's the slightest problem, your policy talks about robust enforcement, talks about engagement with premises licenses, talks about the opportunity to review premises if things go awry. Additionally, an incident log is to be maintained and made available on request to authorised officers, the Local Authority, or the Police, recording crimes, ejections, complaints, disorder, seizures of drugs or weapons, and visits by authorities. A CCTV system is also to be maintained, with recordings retained for 31 days and images provided to authorised officers upon request.

Decision and Further Information

In its decision, the Licensing Sub-Committee granted the licence but with amended hours and several additional conditions. The granted hours for late-night refreshment are Sunday to Thursday from 11pm to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 11pm to 1am. After midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, only delivery and collection services will be permitted.

Key conditions imposed include:

  • Delivery drivers must wait inside the premises after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and park to the front of the premises on the High Street after 11pm.
  • Adherence to a code of conduct for delivery drivers to minimise noise and prevent congregating near residential properties.
  • Regular litter patrols in the final hour before closing.
  • The extraction fan and ventilation ducting must be regularly maintained and suitably attenuated.
  • Foyer lights to be turned off after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • An incident log must be maintained and made available to authorities.
  • A fully operational CCTV system must be maintained, with recordings retained for 31 days.
  • Staff must receive documented training on safety, fire, and allergens.
  • Exit routes must be kept unobstructed, and combustible rubbish must not accumulate.
  • A direct contact number for residents to report concerns must be provided.

Exterior view of the KFC premises at Dawson House, 131-135 High Street, New Malden, the subject of a licensing application.
Exterior view of the KFC premises at Dawson House, 131-135 High Street, New Malden, the subject of a licensing application.

The decision was confirmed by email, with full reasons to follow within five working days. The meeting can be viewed on the council's YouTube channel.

For more details on the council's licensing procedures, refer to the Public reports pack Tuesday 07-Jul-2026 14.00 Licensing Sub-Committee.