McDonald's Restaurants Ltd
Councils are currently considering applications for extended opening hours for McDonald's restaurants, with concerns over local impacts.
In July 2026, Bexley Council's Planning Committee approved a temporary 12-month extension for a McDonald's in Sidcup, allowing dine-in and takeaway until midnight and deliveries until 3am. Also in July 2026, a McDonald's in Leicester Square applied to Westminster City Council for a licence extension until 5am for 24-hour trading, drawing objections from the council's Licensing Authority, Metropolitan Police, and Environmental Health Service.
These objections to the Leicester Square application cited concerns over potential increases in crime, disorder, and public nuisance. Similarly, Councillor Oscar Harrison had previously voiced concerns regarding potential increases in anti-social behaviour, noise, and traffic from extended hours in Sidcup. Southwark's Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) is scheduled to discuss varying opening hours for a commercial unit at 284-286 Walworth Road on 7 October 2026.
McDonald's Restaurants Ltd, a global fast-food company, frequently applies to local councils for variations to its operating licences and planning permissions, particularly concerning opening hours for its commercial units.
Key facts
- Bexley Council's Planning Committee approved a temporary 12-month extension for a Sidcup McDonald's on 23 July 2026. Source
- The Sidcup McDonald's can now operate dine-in and takeaway until midnight and deliveries until 3am. Source
- A Leicester Square McDonald's applied for a licence extension until 5am for 24-hour trading in July 2026. Source
- Westminster City Council's Licensing Authority, Metropolitan Police, and Environmental Health Service objected to the Leicester Square application. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.