The Licensing Sub-Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council met on Thursday 13 August 2026 to consider two applications for new premises licences. No decision on either application was announced at the hearing: the sub-committee retired to decide in private, with the parties to be told the outcome by email later that day. According to the council's published minutes, it later granted a licence for Pepe's Piri Piri in Tolworth, with conditions, and refused the application for KFC in Chessington.

Pepe's Piri Piri, 46 Tolworth Broadway, Tolworth

The subcommittee considered an application for a new premises licence for Pepe's Piri Piri, located at 46 Tolworth Broadway, Tolworth, KT6 7HR. The application sought authorisation for late-night refreshments. Initially, the applicant had requested hours until 2am, but this was reduced to 1:30am from Sunday to Thursday and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, with the premises operating as delivery-only after midnight.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police concerning crime and disorder, which were withdrawn after the applicant agreed to amendments to their operating schedule, reflected as conditions in Annex 3 of the report. Two valid representations were received from other persons, raising concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder, and the prevention of public nuisance. These objectors were unable to attend the hearing.

The applicant's agent, Mohammed Sultan Malik of NASA Design Studio, explained that the amended hours were aligned with those of other establishments in the area. He detailed measures to manage delivery drivers, prevent public nuisance, and ensure litter collection. Saeed Shah, the applicant, added that staff would be fully trained to handle situations and that CCTV cameras covered the external area.

During the hearing, Councillor Peter Higgins inquired about the training of staff and Councillor Yvonne Tracey asked about any instances of anti-social behaviour or problems encountered. The applicant confirmed that staff were health and safety and first aid qualified, and that SIA-qualified staff were employed for night shifts. They stated that there had been no complaints to date. Regarding parking, it was clarified that delivery drivers would be instructed to park sensibly and switch off engines.

No decision was announced at the hearing. The chair said the sub-committee would adjourn to discuss the application and come to a decision, and the Democratic Services officer said the parties would be told by email later that day whether it was successful, with the decision published within five working days. The council's published minutes record that the sub-committee granted the licence, limiting walk-in customers to midnight daily and allowing collections and deliveries until 1:30am Sunday to Thursday and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, subject to the conditions offered and agreed and further conditions it imposed.

KFC, 2-4 North Parade, Chessington

The subcommittee also considered an application for a new premises licence for KFC, located at 2-4 North Parade, Chessington, KT9 1QF. The application sought authorisation for late-night refreshments from 11pm to 1am Monday to Thursday, and 11pm to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. As submitted, the premises would operate as a delivery and collection service only after midnight, with no customer access; at the hearing the applicant proposed amending this to after 11pm.

Hannah Smith, the licensing officer, presented the report, noting that the Metropolitan Police had initially made representations regarding crime and disorder but had withdrawn them following mediation and agreement on revised conditions. However, 15 valid representations were received from other persons, citing concerns related to the prevention of crime and disorder, and the prevention of public nuisance.

Piers Warren, representing the applicant K & Z Newhaven Limited, explained that the application was for delivery only after 11pm, with no customers permitted on the premises after this time. He highlighted a robust operating schedule with 26 conditions, including special late-night training, dispersal management, and delivery drivers waiting inside the premises. An agreement with the police meant internal foyer lights would be dimmed after 11pm to make the premises appear closed. Mr. Warren emphasised that K & Z Newhaven Limited is a franchisee with over 20 years of operation and that KFC headquarters provides oversight.

Numerous residents and local councillors spoke against the application, raising concerns about noise from delivery vehicles, particularly mopeds, at late hours in a predominantly residential and quiet area. Councillor Barker highlighted the lack of public transport at night and the potential for noise from extractor fans. David Williams expressed concerns about the noise from mopeds and the realism of staff confronting riders. Veronica Whitehead mentioned the smell of KFC and noise from extractor fans, while Stella Graham presented video footage from the World Cup period showing lights on and a driver collecting at 1:39 am, questioning the applicant's assurances. Rochelle Cook echoed concerns about litter, noise, and the lack of necessity for late-night operation in the area. Councillor Barker, David Williams, and Councillor Lorraine Dunstone also made closing statements reiterating their objections, focusing on noise, litter, and the potential for increased anti-social behaviour.

Councillor James Giles, a local ward councillor, also objected, requesting that if the licence were granted, it should be significantly restricted with robust conditions, including no late-night refreshment beyond 11pm on most nights and a mandatory delivery management plan.

The subcommittee heard from the applicant's team, who addressed concerns about noise, litter, and the management of delivery drivers, stating that the proposed conditions and the barring system for drivers would mitigate issues. They also noted that KFC was upgrading carbon filters to address smell concerns.

No decision was announced at the hearing. The chair said the councillors and officers would go away to deliberate, and that the decision would be communicated to the parties by email later that day, with a fuller statement of the decision and reasons within five working days. The council's published minutes record that the sub-committee decided to refuse the application, giving weight to residents' concerns about crime and disorder and public nuisance, particularly the disturbance to residents from the noise of delivery drivers and the existing issues of smell and litter.

Correction, 30 October 2026: An earlier version of this summary said the sub-committee granted the Pepe's Piri Piri licence at the hearing and deferred the KFC decision to allow further consideration of resident objections. That was wrong. No decision was announced at the hearing on either application; the council's published minutes record that the Pepe's Piri Piri licence was later granted with conditions and the KFC application was refused.