The Sub-Committee is asked to determine Popeyes’ application, taking into account the details in the report and any representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

 

This report will be added as a supplement.

 

The applicants joined the meeting. 

 

The Chair invited the applicants to introduce themselves. The applicants introduced themselves as Mark Browning (representing Popeyes) and Mr Iwan.

 

The Chair invited the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer to present the report. 

 

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer summarised the report, noting the requirement for the Sub-Committee to determine an application submitted by PLK Chicken UK Limited for the Premises Licence of Popeyes (PLK Chicken UK Limited), 36 – 37 Queen Street, Oxford, OX1 1ER.

 

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer outlined the report, stating the applicant applied for:

 

·       The provision of late-night refreshment (provided both indoors and outdoors): Sunday to Saturday 23:00 hours until 02:00 hours

 

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer noted that the application received no adverse comments from the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service as a responsible authority under the licensing act. The application did however receive a representation from TVP highlighting concerns in relation to crime and disorder and prevention of public nuisance. A copy of the TVP representation is found at appendix 2. The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer also noted there was one representation from an interested party which can be found at appendix 3. The representation highlighted concern in relation to how the application could fail to promote the license and objectives of public safety and the prevention of public nuisance. 

 

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer stated that the Sub-Committee should note there is a map attached detailing the applicant’s premises and surrounding areas which is detailed in appendix 4. It must also be noted that this premises is within the City Centres saturation policy. However, this is no longer in force as of the end of April 2025 and is currently being reviewed with a cumulative impact assessment as required under Section 55A of the Licensing Act 2003. Details can be found in paragraph 13 and 14 of the report

 

Mr Browning stated that they had understood and taken on board the relevant polices. He highlighted that Popeyes operated differently from similar restaurants, particularly in the way they handled deliveries, which he described as unique. Mr Browning added that when they submitted the application, their intention was to strike a sensible balance between keeping the store open and managing deliveries. He believed a fair compromise would be to close the premises to the public at midnight, with deliveries continuing until 2am. One of the concerns raised in a representation was that Popeyes may interfere with Hanks, the restaurant next door. However, Mr Browning argued that this was not the case, noting that Hanks had a narrow frontage, while Popeyes occupied the majority of the storefront. 

 

Mr Iwan elaborated on their delivery process, explaining there was an order ready button. The entire delivery system was based on minimising rider wait time, with a maximum target of two minutes. Once food was ready, they would activate the system, cook and prepare the order, and notify drivers so they could collect and depart without delay. 

 

Mr Browning added that unlike other restaurants, which often encouraged riders to linger, Popeyes discouraged this to avoid inconvenience to the public. He noted that Popeyes had fewer orders compared to other outlets and maintained a higher staff-to-customer ratio, including a dedicated door host. Mr Iwan supported this by mentioning that Popeyes operated as a table service restaurant, with 60% of orders brought directly to tables and the option for customers to dine in or wait.

 

Mr Browning also mentioned the use of a staff safe system that allowed police to access the restaurants CCTV both inside and outside the premises, providing an extra layer of security. He emphasised the significance of the SSP and clarified that they were willing to scale back the application to a midnight closure, which they felt was a fair compromise. He pointed out that the impact on the SSP from delivery-only operations would be minimal, as the premises would be closed to the public and there would be no reason for people, to loiter. Once a delivery was ready, the rider would collect it and leave promptly.

 

Councillor Jupp asked for clarification on what was being requested. Mr Browning responded that the application had been amended in response to feedback from the police and Hanks. They now proposed closing to the public at midnight daily, with deliveries continuing until 2am and agreed to the police’s suggested conditions, with minor wording changes to conditions 6 and 7. For instance, condition 6 be amended to state the premises shall be closed and cleared of customers by midnight. For condition 7, it would specify that the last customer entry would be 15 minutes before midnight. 

 

Councillor Ottino asked how many other businesses on Queen Street operated from midnight to 2am. The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer confirmed that only the one van in front of Popeyes operated during those hours. 

 

Councillor Morris sought clarification on the reasoning behind amending conditions 6 and 7. Mr Browning explained that those conditions referred to the closure of the premises, and since they would still be providing late night refreshments via delivery, the conditions needed to reflect that. 

 

Councillor Jupp noted that Hanks often attracted long queues, which contributed to congestion on Queen Street, and asked how Popeyes would manage the crowds. Mr Browning stated that Popeyes did not experience queues. 

 

Councillor Jupp inquired about the delivery order button and how it prevented drivers from waiting around the corner. Mr Iwan explained that drivers typically congregated near the busiest delivery service in the area which was not Popeyes.

 

Councillor Jupp further asked whether having drivers waiting increased the risk of disturbance in such a confined space. Mr Browning stated they employed a door host to monitor intoxicated or unruly individuals and maintained a zero-tolerance policy. Mr Iwan added that Popeyes operated in other busy cities like Birmingham, Nottingham and Cambridge, and had systems in place to manage such risks, including constant CCTV, a silent alarm system for staff and the presence of a door host.

 

Councillor Jupp questioned how the restaurant could prevent people from ordering to non-residential addresses. Mr Iwan explained that deliveries were restricted to residential addresses and excluded locations like parks and schools. 

 

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer asked about mopeds and where drivers were expected to wait. Mr Iwan said that delivery partners were provided with instructions, including a designated pin location for parking and collection, which was a key part of their operational governance. 

 

The Chair invited the interested party to make a representation to the Sub-Committee.

 

Alex Bloomfield, Thames Valley Police (TVP), stated that while Popeyes representation had addressed some SSP concerns, midnight service still fell within the nighttime economy where issues typically began to rise. He said there was a potential for low level incidents between 11pm and 1am to increase. Although his counterparts in other cities with Popeyes locations hadn’t reported venue-specific issues, he emphasised that the SSP focused on overall footfall and its impact on the area.

 

Mr Bloomfield also noted that door staff could be at risk when refusing entry to intoxicated individuals, as such encounters could escalate. He pointed out that Queen Street was already crowded, with delivery riders, taxi’s, e-bikes, scooters and queues from Hanks, suggesting that allowing late night refreshment service might add to the congestion. He questioned whether there was a need to remain open to the public past 11pm, proposing that limiting service to delivery only would better align with police concerns.

 

Councillor Ottino asked Mr Bloomfield if he agreed with the CCTV setup, to which Mr Bloomfield responded that he acknowledged it could help de-escalate incidents.

 

In response to the Police’s suggestion of an 11pm closure, Mr Browning said that Popeyes could consider this for five days a week but requested that the Sub-Committee allow operations until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays due to higher demand. Mr Bloomfield replied that those nights were among the busiest for the police, and midnight openings would still raise concerns. 

 

Councillor Jupp asked Mr Opher if he proactively contacted Popeyes. Mr Opher said he did not because he knew that they would be well represented, and they would come whether he objected or not.

 

 

 

Mr Browning, Mr Iwan, Mr Bloomfield, Mr Opher and the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer left the meeting to allow the Sub-Committee to reach a decision.

 

The Sub-Committee considered: 

·       That they were impressed by the representations of the applicant within the meeting and by the responsible manner in which they appeared to run their business. 

·       They were reassured with the secret alarms and the security which would mitigate the issues inside. Consider amending condition 8 so it is more robust on door staff outdoor.

·       Ensure that rather than having one door staff, there is two from 7pm till close. 

·       Do risk assessment and potentially have 3 SIA, one for inside and two for outside on days there are club nights 

·        

Mr Browning, Mr Iwan, Mr Bloomfield, Mr Opher and the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer rejoined the meeting.

 

 

 

 

The Sub-Committee resolved to: 

 

·       Grant the application for premises license subject to conditions:

o   Opening hours: premises will close to the public at 11pm on Sunday-Thursday nights but may remain open to the public until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.

o   The premises may be open for delivery collections only from closing to the public till 2am every day.

o   The license is granted subject to the all the conditions from TVP with the following modification: at least 2 SIA door supervisors must be present on Friday and Saturday nights when trading to midnight, regardless of any risk assessment, from 7pm until 15 minutes after the premises are closed to the public.

o   Secondly, the business shall not fulfil delivery orders where the delivery rider has contravened traffic conditions enforced on Queen Street.

 

The Chair notified Mr Browning and Mr Iwan that they would have 21 days to appeal the decision made during the hearing via the Magistrates Cour from the date of receiving the decision notice. 

 

Mr Browning and Mr Iwan thanked the Sub-Committee.

 

Mr Browning, Mr Iwan and Mr Opher left the meeting.