A fast-food chain could extend its operating hours for its branch in Kingston town centre.

KFC has submitted a licensing application to Kingston Council seeking permission to extend the operating hours for its Clarence Street restaurant.

Currently, the restaurant is open from 10am - 11.30pm Sunday through Thursday and until 1am the following day on Fridays and Saturdays.

If the application is approved it will operate from 9.30am until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

However, after midnight on any day of the week, the premises will operate a delivery collection service only (when the premises is trading), and there will be no customer access into the restaurant after midnight.

Speaking about its licensing application, KFC said: "This application also seeks to amend the premises licence conditions by removing all conditions and replacing them with a new operating schedule.

"From midnight, the premises shall cease accepting walk-in customers. No further customers shall be admitted to the customer area. Between 12am and the licensed closing hour the premises shall operate on a delivery-only basis, serving orders placed via approved third-party delivery platforms.

"The last entry time for walk-in customers shall be clearly displayed at the customer entrance.

"Externally visible signage shall be displayed at the customer entrance from 12am advising customers that the premises is operating on a delivery-only basis and that walk-in service has ceased."

It continued: "From midnight, all in-store self-service kiosks and counter order points shall be powered down and out of service. Orders shall be accepted only via approved third-party delivery platforms."

To keep in line with the council's four licensing objectives, KFC said that a trained late-night duty manager shall be on shift at all times between 11pm and the licensed closing hour and shall be readily identifiable by uniform.

It added that a minimum of three team members will be on duty at the premises at all times during late-night trading and that lone working will not be permitted.

Additionally, KFC said that "the licence holder shall ensure that all employees are made aware of the conditions attached to this licence through induction and refresher training procedures".

The Clarence Street restaurant underwent a refurb in August last year.

Residents have until 31 August to submit representations for this application and can do so here.

KFC previously submitted a similar licensing application for its branch in Chessington.

However, residents expressed fears of moped 'scourge' if the restaurant does stay open until 2am.

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