Shepherd's Bush Taco Bell Gets Late-Night License Until 2am

Local journalist Hannah Neary reported at Shepherd's Bush W12 yesterday on the reaction to the Uxbridge Rd Taco Bell getting a late night food license until 2am, which is making many local residents unhappy.  

Here at The Shepherd's Bush Blog, we attended the licensing hearing on Monday night to express our own view.  I have never seen more people attend a licensing hearing, nor heard a more passionate expression of resistance to a late license.  

Some conditions were granted, but the Licensing Committee controversially agreed to Taco Bell being open until 1am Sunday to Thursday and 2am Friday and Saturday nights.

Late Night in Shepherd's Bush

The problem for residents in Shepherd's Bush, especially those living in the Caxton Village area north of Shepherd's Bush Green, is that their neighbourhood can at times feel like a war zone, with lots of anti-social behaviour.  Late-night diners use their streets as a trash can and a public toilet; delivery drivers run their engines late at night, and no-one gets much sleep.

Cumulative Impact Policy

It was in response to these problems that our Council created the Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) back in 2010.  Also called the "Shepherd's Bush Saturation Zone"; this was a special licensing policy created by our Council to restrict the expansion of licensed premises in an area which was already "saturated" with places to eat and drink, especially late at night. 

Saturation Zone

Shepherd’s Bush was identified by the then-Conservative-controlled Council as being "adversely affected in terms of the licensing objectives because of the cumulative impact of the concentration of licensed premises".  The Saturation zone included Shepherd's Bush Green to the East, the Uxbridge Road to the North, Goldhawk Road to the south, and was bordered by Askew road in the west. However, the CIP policy expired in 2020, making it much easier for premises to get a late night license.

2021 Consultation
In 2021 LBHF ran a consultation over the re-instatement of the Saturation Zone, which, according to licensing officials, concluded that local residents were in favour of it being re-instated.  However, due to Covid 19, the CIP (like so much else) has stalled.

Licensing Objectives

In the meantime, local residents can continue to object to licensed premises being open late. However, residents should note that their objections must be in line with the four licensing objectives set down by statute. These are:

• The Prevention of Crime and Disorder
• Public Safety
• The Prevention of Public Nuisance
• The Protection of Children from Harm

Objections that do not focus on the four licensing objectives are just white noise. 

The Bush Telegraph offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story, email us at shepherdsbushblog@gmail.com.  And don't forget to add your opinion in the comments section below.