A Kent thoroughfare will soon be home to the Greggs 24 Hours – believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.
This popular restaurant chain has been applying for licenses around the clock to serve its famous sausage rolls and steak from its St George’s Street branch, Canterbury.
However, with the neighboring McDonald’s already open around the clock, some feared it could exacerbate drunken anti-social behavior in the area.
An alderman representing that part of the city fears agreeing the permit could be the start of a “slippery slope”, with other outlets looking to follow suit.
Pip Hazelton of Labor told KentOnline that without “serious assurances”, he and fellow Westgate ward councilor Michael Dixey would not be able to support the plan.
A license application filed with Canterbury City Council reveals Greggs wants to provide takeaway service between 11pm and 5am any day of the week.
“As it stands, we are neither happy nor interested in the idea of it being a 24-hour service,” he said.
“Saying yes sets a dangerous precedent – when do we say no?”
The problem of drunkenness and disorderly behavior downtown late at night is well documented.
Concerns have also been raised about the noise caused by delivery drivers going to and from the food outlets in the early hours of the morning.
Cllr Hazleton said: “We really want to drive business in the city – we want to see people thrive and succeed in the area.
“But apart from McDonald’s, we are not aware of any other operators that are licensed 24 hours. It’s a slippery slope.
“People do live downtown and saying yes sets a dangerous precedent – when do we say no?
“St George’s Street has always suffered from anti-social behavior. Many residents are unhappy with existing businesses operating the way they do and ultimately the question is whether the city will benefit from this.
KentOnline asked Greggs if the store would be open all night but a spokesperson said the company is not commenting on live apps.
Passersby on St George’s Street yesterday were shocked by the move, with some noting that the branch is often empty between 6pm and 9pm – when it is currently closed.
Currently, Greggs’ drive-thru in Sittingbourne has the last closing time in the county at 10 p.m.
But attempts to switch to a 24-hour model have previously been mooted by the company, with several media outlets reporting in March that the food giant was looking to make changes to some of its drive-thrus.
Greggs had previously tried to introduce 24-hour service at his Leicester Square store last year – but council bosses rejected the offer.
At the time Aicha Less, Westminster City Council cabinet member for permits and communities, said “a legitimate concern has been raised by police and the local community that this plan is half done”.
“There are concerns that businesses serving 24/7 downtown are creating challenges and bakeries could become hot spots for late-night distractions and anti-social behavior,” he added.
This sparked a legal battle between the two, with Greggs vowing to install security cameras and guards to get the green light.
However, that ended in May this year when board bosses and business leaders agreed a deal allowing the London-based shop to stay open until at least midnight seven days a week.
Thursdays through Saturdays, the branch has special permission to put items out until two in the morning.
It is not yet known when the proposed changes at Canterbury will take place, with the council inviting the public to submit their views until July 25.
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