Miss Millie’s Fried Chicken is opening a new restaurant at Yate shopping centre after winning permission to serve until 1am despite residents’ fears it could attract rowdy youths.
Councillors approved the family-owned fast-food chain’s application after hearing nearby Domino’s Pizza and Wetherspoons pub The Thorns Farm had late-night licences for the same time, although they chose to close at midnight.
Three neighbours objected on the grounds of public nuisance, crime and disorder, and a letter from 10 others expressed concerns it could increase littering and problems with yobs in the car park at night.
No objections were received from South Gloucestershire Council’s regulatory services while conditions were agreed with the police, including CCTV inside and outside the premises, which can open until 1.30am, on the corner of North Walk and North Parade.
Neighbour Thomas Brereton told licensing sub-committee members: “We are not objecting to the licence itself but the hours it will be open.
“There are already issues with people gathering in the car park and playing loud music.
“We have to phone the shopping centre security quite frequently.
“We are concerned that will increase, especially if it’s open late, and wake our kids.
“The hours asked for are completely unreasonable.
“Nowhere else is open anywhere near 1.30am. Midnight is the latest in the area.”
Yate town councillor Chris Willmore told members: “We welcome Miss Millie’s coming to Yate which is what local people want.
“Our concern is that it will be open until 1.30am.
“It will become a focal point for people when everywhere else is closed, and the dispersal time for people to make their way home will be much later.
“This would set a precedent for other venues and that would be bad.”
Solicitor Karen Cochrane, representing Miss Millie’s, told the hearing on Wednesday, March 4: “The business has eight stores in both town centres and mixed residential areas and they have all operated late at night without any incident for over 40 years.
“There are no representations from the relevant authorities.
“The statutory guidance is that those responsible authorities are experts in their field, and none of those experts have expressed concerns.
“We greatly sympathise with residents’ concerns but they are purely speculative and simply don’t reflect how Miss Millie’s operates.
“We are confident the hours we are requesting are appropriate.
“Some Miss Millie’s have 3am licences and we have been sensitive to this location by not asking for that.
“This store would be our earliest closing time.
“In the Licensing Act there is a presumption that an application will be approved because you have the facility to review a licence.
“What we are asking for is the rope with which to hang ourselves or not.
“We are asking for the opportunity to show that the confidence the responsible authorities have in us is well-founded.
“If it does go all wrong, which I am sure it will not, then the licence can be easily reviewed.”
She said notices would be put up asking customers to respect local residents and leave quietly and staff would undertake daily litter-picks.
The council’s sub-committee granted the licence, which is required to sell hot food after 11pm.
There will be seating for up to 80 customers.
