American fast food chain gets permission to stay open until 4am
The Wendy's American fast food chain relaunched in Station Road in June 2021 to much fanfare.
The chain now has 44 locations in England.
Wendy's is currently open until 11pm weekdays and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, with the company applying to stay open midnight on weekdays and 4am from Thursday to Saturday.
The extended hours were discussed at a Reading Borough Council licensing applications sub-committee meeting.
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Luke Atkins, a district manager for Wendy's, argued the company is committed to upholding the four licensing objectives: to prevent crime and disorder, to uphold public safety, prevent nuisance and protect children from harm.
He said: "Our top priority is the welfare of our customers, staff and the wider community. We're eager to work with the authorities to support the licensing objectives.
"Our team perform patrols outside our restaurant on an hourly basis, to make sure litter attributed to Wendy's is cleared.
"We encourage customers to be considerate to neighbours. Our windows are always closed, and we only play background music."
David Acreman from the council's environmental protection team objected to the application, raising concerns that increased activity, deliveries and noise from the extraction fan would cause disturbance for neighbours.
Fears later hours for American burger chain could disturb neighbours
Mr Atkins explained that the extraction fan, in place since 2021, is within the fabric of the building and has a maximum noise output of 60 decibels.
Councillor Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) asked how Wendy's fits into the nighttime economy, acknowledging no noise complaints had been submitted.
Mr Atkins said: "There are people who live above us, but there have been no complaints from them.
"We understand we're a last stop before people go home; they congregate here."
Cllr Deborah Edwards (Labour, Southcote) asked whether there is a demand for Wendy's food at these later hours.
Mr Atkins replied: "We believe there is a demand, people come to the town centre to enjoy themselves in the evening, and there's deliveries."
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He went on to explain that the CCTV captures the heads and shoulders of people both internally and externally.
The footage is then kept for 31 days and is available to any authority that requests it.
Mr Atkins added: "Our team have to complete a late-night security model prior to onboarding with us."
In a written representation, Mr Acreman argued that later hours would cause a disturbance to neighbours and the occupants of future housing developments.
However, cllr Rowland stated that Wendy's predates future developments, therefore the onus would be on the developer to ensure noise mitigation measures are installed in any flats.
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Cllr Paul Woodward (Labour, Church) quipped: "This is a town centre, you have to allow people to have fun, or else you're living in the Cotswolds!"
Yet he did acknowledge neighbours are entitled to a good night's sleep.
Ultimately, the committee decided to grant the hours extension at the meeting today (Thursday, May 15).
The grant is subject to conditions, which include ensuring there is planning permission for the extended hours and that Wendy's is linked to the TownSafe Radio.
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