Licence Extension Rejected After Hot Birdies No-show

Ealing Council’s licensing subcommittee rejected the plans in a hearing on Wednesday (July 22) after the applicant failed to turn up to the meeting. Hot Birdies, Southall, located at 150 The Broadway, had sought to remain open until 2am daily, seven days a week.

Hot Birdies, described as “the UK’s go-to destination for Nashville Hot Chicken”, currently operates between 11:30am and 11pm daily. The premises are based below a block of flats.

Following consultation with the Metropolitan Police, the applicant agreed to a comprehensive series of public safety and crime prevention conditions, including 31-day recording CCTV systems with immediate playback capabilities, mandatory trained staff on duty at all times, public warning signage, and an inspection-ready incident register. As such, Metropolitan Police Licensing Officers confirmed they had no objections to the application.

However, a local resident objected to the plans raising concerns about the prevention of public nuisance, crime and disorder. Ms Hanan Mussa said that allowing a fast food business to operate late at night would create “unmanageable noise disruption” when families are trying to sleep.

She added: “Late-night hot food venues frequently act as gathering points for individuals leaving nearby pubs. This accumulation of crowds late at night historically escalates anti-social behaviour, verbal disputes, and general street disorder, compromising the safety of our neighbourhood…

“The area surrounding The Broadway is already heavily saturated with commercial activity, and extending operations to a late night schedule pushes the balance away from community wellbeing. For the peace, safety, and health of Southall residents, I respectfully request that Ealing Council refuse this late night licence application.”

The committee was made up of three councillors. Councillor Kim Kaur Nagpal (Lab) chaired the meeting, alongside Cllr Charan Sharma (Lab), and Cllr Connie Hersch (Lib Dem).

Returning the decision, Cllr Nagpal said: “The subcommittee are not satisfied that the applicant, through its representative, demonstrated a sufficient knowledge or understanding of the particular sensitivities of this location… or the issues associated with late night activity in Southall.

“The subcommittee are also concerned that the applicant was not present at the hearing, and that there was no evidence of operational experience in providing late night refreshment beyond 11pm. The answers given did not reassure the subcommittee that the applicant had sufficient systems, policies, or practical measures in place to promote the licensing objectives.

“The subcommittee gave weight to the residents’ concerns about late night noise, delivery riders, customer dispersal, litter, and the impact on residents, particularly as there is residential accommodation above the premises. The subcommittee was not satisfied that these concerns had been adequately addressed…

“Whilst we acknowledge the applicant’s representative’s willingness to work with the council and agree to additional conditions, when considering whether additional conditions could address these concerns, we concluded that conditions would not be sufficient.”

Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter

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