McDonald’s has applied for a late-night refreshment licence that would allow its Welling restaurant to serve hot food and drink from 11pm until 2am, seven days a week.
The branch at 38 Bellegrove Road, close to Welling railway station, currently trades from 6am until 11pm each day. If Bexley Council grants the application, the kitchen could stay open for an extra three hours every night.
Delivery only after midnight
There is, however, an important caveat. According to the public notice for the application, the restaurant’s eat-in service would still close at midnight — so anything served between midnight and 2am would be available via delivery only.
In other words, the bid is about extending the kitchen’s licensed hours rather than keeping the dining room open into the early hours. The application covers the sale of hot food and hot drink between 11pm and 2am, but the final two hours would effectively stretch the branch’s delivery and takeaway service.
Who is behind the bid
The application was submitted on 7 September 2026 by Galmés Limited, trading as McDonald’s Restaurant, seeking a premises licence covering late-night refreshment.
Under the Licensing Act 2003, serving hot food or hot drink between 11pm and 5am counts as a licensable activity, which is why the restaurant needs the council’s permission before trading into the early hours.
Have your say
The application is now open for public consultation, and anyone can make a representation. Comments must be submitted in writing and received by Bexley Council no later than 5 October 2026.
If no valid representations arrive by the deadline, the council must grant the licence, although it can still attach conditions. If valid objections are received, a licensing hearing must be held, at which the application can be granted, granted with conditions, or rejected outright.
Licensing bids in the capital can prove contentious — a recent application for a 24-hour gambling licence in Crystal Palace drew months of opposition before councillors approved it.
The bid comes as London’s late-night food scene continues to evolve, with the UK’s first train station food hall set to open at London Victoria.
Residents who want to have their say should send their written comments to Bexley Council’s licensing team before the 5 October deadline.
