Earl’s Court residents are fighting against what they claim is a council-led “policy shift” that will pave the way for their area to become a hell zone of crime, anti-social behaviour and 24-hour commercial activity.
Activists are appealing for the wider communities across Chelsea and Kensington to weigh in and help them fight off two late night licensing applications that, they say, could spark a tranche of similar business expansions that will blight the Earl’s Court Road shopping district for years to come.
‘Earl’s Court is at a tipping point,’ said local activist and campaigner Margaret Carey. ‘What happens next will determine whether our neighbourhood becomes a 24/7 commercial free-for-all, or if it remains a place where families can actually live.
‘The Council appears to be pursuing a 24/7 night-time economy agenda with zero community input – but this community will not stand by while our neighbourhood is transformed without our consent.’
Campaigners cite two current applications for extended late-night opening hours as key to what they fear could lead to an irreversible direction of travel for Earl’s Court’s high street.
No.1: Burger chain giant McDonald’s is applying for a 24/7 licence. The deadline to comment about that application is 15th July.
McDonald’s on Earl’s Court Road wants to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
No.2: Fast food take-away Star Kebab and Curries House has applied for permission to stay open until 5am. The deadline to comment about that one is 21st July.
Star takeaway wants to serve fast food until 5am
Accountant Ms Carey, who has lived in Earl’s Court for 24 years, added: ‘Two businesses applying for later licences at the same time isn’t a coincidence—it’s a coordinated assault on our residential neighbourhood, and residents have been given virtually no time to mount an effective response.
‘RBKC has opened the floodgates without asking a single resident what we think. Burger King has already secured 5am licensing, which has emboldened every other business to push for extended hours. The council is pursuing a stealth policy of turning Earl’s Court into a 24/7 commercial zone, and they’re doing it application by application, hoping no one will notice the bigger picture. I hope that residents in other parts of the borough can help by opposing these applications. It could your area next.
‘McDonald’s 24/7 licensing is just the tip of the iceberg. The Co-op wants 24-hour alcohol sales, tacky casinos like Silvertime and Admiral are expanding—with Silvertime already pushing for even more space. Our residential neighbourhood is being carved up, piece by piece, and the council is letting it happen. We don’t want Earl’s Court turned into a garish strip of 24/7 neon signs and late-night chaos.
‘There is grave concern from local residents about the potential nuisance that might arise from extending late night licences, so I’m calling on the Police and Council to work together to deal with the problem of anti-social behaviour and to boost licensing enforcement. The food delivery platforms and the restaurants themselves should also be part of the solution.
‘Families can’t sleep through the night due to the constant noise from swarms of delivery motorbikes revving up at 3am, elderly residents are being kept awake by shouting and anti-social behaviour, and our streets are becoming dumping grounds for late-night takeaway rubbish. Meanwhile, crime is rising and police presence is falling—extended licensing hours will only make our neighbourhood less safe and less liveable.
A bare-chested man passed out on an Earl’s Court doorway (Photo: Applied by EC resident)
‘The council must immediately reject these applications and impose a moratorium on any further late-night licensing until they’ve properly consulted residents. They need to recognize that Earl’s Court is a residential area where people live, work, and raise families—not a 24/7 entertainment district. We demand they protect the character of our neighbourhood, not destroy it for short-term commercial gain. The council needs to work on bringing appropriate businesses to our area.’
RBKC proudly unveiled improvements to Hogarth Road last month as part of its ambitions to smarten up Earl’s Court. Last year, the council also launched a Local Action Plan to “revitalise” Earl’s Court Road. The results of its consultation have recently been made public and are summarised on the council website here. The council says it is working hard to deliver ideas put forward by residents to improve the area. It says that it is also actively trying to turn Earl’s Court into a Business Improvement District (BID) to attract better business investment.
Conservative councillor Hamish Adourian, who represents Earl’s Court ward, said: ‘With so many high streets entering a vicious cycle of decline, I’m keen to support long-standing, legitimate businesses on Earl’s Court Road. However, there is concern from local residents about the potential nuisance that might arise from extending late night licences, so I’m calling on the Police and Council to work together to deal with the problem of anti-social behaviour and driving by delivery drivers and to boost licensing enforcement.
‘The delivery platforms and the restaurants themselves, as responsible businesses, should also be part of the solution. RBKC, and Earl’s Court, needs to stay open for business, but in a way that is fair to residents as well.’
The Citizen contacted RBKC for comment and Cllr Johnny Thalassites, its lead member for environment and planning, said:
‘Any business is entitled to submit a licensing application. All applications are assessed and determined on their merits, in line with our licensing policy which carefully balances the needs of residents and businesses. All licensing applications go to public consultation, and the licensing committee considers all the submissions. I have full confidence in the committee to come to a reasoned decision.
“We are working hard to support Earls Court and recognise its unique identity. We have new guidance for shop fronts to make the high street more appealing and we have recently invested in a new streetscape in Hogarth Road, with wider pavements and new trees to make the street a more welcoming place to be. All these initiatives are made with the help of the community and following consultation with residents and businesses.’
To comment on licensing applications, visit RBKC’s dedicated web page here
All location photos: ©RM/TCC
