No To 24-Hour Burger King In Hove

Councillors have rejected an application by a Burger King franchise for a licence that would permit 24-hour opening at its premises in Hove.

Neighbours objected, citing concerns about noise, cooking smells and smoke, in response to the application by franchise-holder Leon Kennedy Ltd, owned by Jason Kennedy, 49, and Justin Kennedy, 46.

The company runs the fast food chain’s outlet at the Goldstone Retail Park, in Old Shoreham Road, Hove, as well as branches in North Street and King’s Road, Brighton.

The company applied for a late-night refreshment licence from 11pam to 5am which would have enabled the premises to trade 24/7.

At a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel hearing on Monday 2 June, Jason Kennedy said that he had brought in outsiders to check for smells but found nothing.

Three neighbours spelt out their concerns, which also included litter and anti-social behaviour, and they were supported by one of their ward councillors.

Labour councillor Jackie O’Quinn, who represents Goldsmid ward and used to chair the council’s Licensing Committee, said that people in the area were already troubled by noise and anti-social behaviour at the retail park.

The licensing panel – councillors Julie Cattell, Andrei Czolak and Kerry Pickett – found no exceptional circumstances to depart from the council’s policy of an 11pm closing time for takeaways in the area.

A decision letter from the council said:

“Extending the hours of operation after 11pm all through the night is only likely to exacerbate the problems residents already face.

“There will be vehicle activity at the premises during the night, with associated noise and potential anti-social behaviour.

“The panel was not convinced by the applicant’s responses that conditions would be effective in dealing with preventing public nuisance during this extended noise-sensitive time.”