KFC gets green light for 24-hour operations

But extended hours will apply to drive-thru only

KFC has been granted approval to operate for 24-hours a day.

The fast-food outlet, on Peel Road in Douglas, had applied to extend its permitted opening hours - which are currently 10.30am until midnight.

In the application Gastronomy Foods UK Limited said the store is experiencing high demand which is having knock-on effect of causing large queues both in the restaurant and the delivery/drive-thru lane.

It argued by extending the opening hours this would 'hopefully alleviate some of this pressure and will help with traffic management on site and in the surrounding areas by spreading out customer demand'.

At a meeting of the Planning Committee (19 August) the plans were given the green light.

The condition is, however, that only the drive-thru will be available 24-hours, with the restaurant doors closing at the usual time of midnight.

This followed concerns from the Isle of Man Constabulary around anti-social behaviour on the site.

It was agreed the change would have little impact on the surrounding area given its close proximity to the Island's only 24-hour petrol station.

McDonald's, just down the road from KFC, also operates 24-hours over the weekend period.

Whilst the permission is there for 24 hours, seven days a week, it's not yet known what timetable KFC will operate under.

One committee member, Matthew Warren, questioned whether there were any public health policies that could be referred to on this matter, asking: "Should we be eating fried chicken at three in the morning?"

Ultimately the plans to extend the drive-thru opening times were approved, with just one member of the planning committee - Mr Warren - voting against.