Morley’s Applies for Extended Late-Night Licence
Amid ongoing council investigations on North End Road
Morley's Chicken on North End Road
May 25, 2026
Morley’s Chicken on North End Road has applied for a new late-night licence that would allow it to serve hot food until midnight on weekdays and 1am at weekends, just months after Hammersmith and Fulham Council confirmed it was investigating allegations that several North End Road businesses — including Morley’s — had been operating beyond their permitted hours.
The application, submitted under reference 2026/00760/LAPR, seeks permission for late-night refreshment both indoors and outdoors at the branch at 308–310 North End Road. Under the proposal, the takeaway would be allowed to trade until midnight from Monday to Thursday, until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight on Sundays. The premises currently operates as a standard hot-food takeaway with an indoor customer area, service counter and kitchen, and has CCTV covering all entry and exit points.
The request comes at a sensitive moment for the area’s late-night economy. In February, the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that Morley’s and Popeyes were among several businesses being investigated by the council over claims they had been staying open later than their licences allowed. The allegations surfaced during a separate court hearing concerning McDonald’s, which had appealed the council’s refusal to grant it extended hours. That appeal was ultimately dismissed, with magistrates ruling that the council’s original decision was “proportionate and necessary”.
At one of the hearings, council officers confirmed that a number of premises on North End Road were under investigation for potential breaches. Operating beyond licensed hours is a criminal offence and can result in an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison. The council said at the time that it was looking into “a number of allegations” and encouraged residents to report any suspected breaches.
Local residents expressed concern when the investigations first came to light. Sarah Chambers, Chair of the Walham Green Ward Panel, said she was “shocked” to hear that some businesses might be trading illegally, stressing that licensing hours are legal obligations rather than guidelines. She welcomed the council’s enforcement activity and urged residents to continue reporting issues.
Against that backdrop, Morley’s new application is likely to attract close scrutiny. North End Road is a densely populated area with a long-running debate about the balance between its busy food-led night-time economy and the needs of residents living directly above and around the shops. The McDonald’s case, which involved a marathon 5.5-hour Licensing Sub-Committee meeting last year, highlighted the strength of local feeling about late-night noise, anti-social behaviour and the cumulative impact of extended trading hours.
The council will now consider Morley’s request through the standard licensing process, during which residents and responsible authorities have the opportunity to submit representations.
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