KFC granted extended late-night hours in Cheltenham despite police concerns

Cheltenham Borough Council has approved a request by a KFC restaurant on High Street to extend its operating hours, despite objections from the Gloucestershire Constabulary regarding public safety.

The restaurant is now permitted to sell hot food and drink from 11pm to 4am every day of the week. Previously, the establishment was limited to much shorter late-night windows during the week and on weekends.

Police officials described the location as a “volatile flashpoint” and a “highly sensitive bottleneck” within the town’s pedestrianised night-time economy zone. Concerns were raised regarding the potential for increased disorder and the impact of late-night deliveries. To mitigate these risks, the applicant agreed to several conditions, including securing the first-floor seating area from 7pm and providing door supervision during Cheltenham racecourse meetings and late-night weekend shifts.