The branch on Sutton High Street currently operates from 6am until 11pm each night
There are concerns for the safety of children who are known to congregate in the McDonald’s due to its free Wi-Fi(Image: Google Maps)
McDonald’s could soon be serving food into the early hours on Sutton High Street, with councillors set to decide next week on an application to extend the opening hours of its town centre branch to 5am every night. The proposal has already attracted objections, with concerns raised about noise, late-night disturbance and the presence of unaccompanied children drawn to the restaurant by its free Wi-Fi.
Sutton’s large McDonald’s branch at 168–172 High Street currently operates from 6am to 11pm, seven days a week. If permission is granted, it would be able to offer both late-night deliveries and in-store sales, making it one of the latest-opening premises in the area.
The restaurant is located near an entrance to the St Nicholas Centre on a pedestrianised stretch of the high street. In response to concerns from Sutton Council’s licensing team, the branch’s operator, Flywheel Operations Limited, has set out how it would control potential problems during the early hours.
Objectors fear that the late license will bring more noise to Sutton High Street, which they say is “quieter” at night
Ahead of the licensing committee meeting next Wednesday (January 7), Flywheel Operations Limited said in its application that it has measures in place to manage crime, noise and anti-social behaviour. These include CCTV with clear signage, fault alarms and police access to recordings, alongside a Staff Safe remote monitoring system, conflict resolution training for staff and a “no open alcohol containers” policy.
In response to the application, the council has proposed a series of licence conditions. These include retaining CCTV footage for at least 31 days with correct date and time stamps, regular servicing of the system, self-closing doors, litter patrols outside the restaurant, safety and security training for managers, and the use of the Staff Safe system with audio and visual monitoring.
The application has attracted objections since it was first submitted in early December 2025. While objections from members of the public are also expected, the two main objections so far have been submitted by council officers specialising in noise and child safety.
One objector from Kingston and Sutton Shared Environment Services raised concerns about noise from vehicles, doors and people gathering outside late at night. They said the high street is currently quieter overnight and that the application does not adequately address noise from people in and around the premises in the early hours.
The objector added that the service already receives regular complaints from residents about noise from equipment and staff at the premises. It also noted that the application does not explain how noise from the proposed extended delivery operations at the rear of the building near Lodge Place would be managed.
In a separate objection, a member of Sutton’s Quality, Learning and Partnerships Service raised concerns about child safeguarding. They said the application lacked detail on how staff would identify and support unaccompanied or vulnerable children during the early hours.
They said children tend to congregate in McDonald’s because of the free Wi-Fi, and that it is likely some children who are missing or absent could be found there overnight. They added they would be more inclined to support the application if the operator committed to working with Children’s Services and the Safeguarding Partnership on the issue.
Sutton Council will consider all representations in a licensing meeting next Wednesday 7, before a final decision is made.
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