FAST-FOOD giant McDonald's is facing a challenge which could see its restaurant in the centre of York lose its 24-hour licence.

Six residents living opposite the burger chain's Blake Street outlet have led calls for it to be closed after midnight, saying they have endured a catalogue of drunken abuse, fights, noise and antisocial behaviour from customers and “gangs” outside the business.

They have been backed by tourism agency Visit York and local businesses, including the Dean Court Hotel, the Blake Gallery, Lloyds TSB and Italian restaurant chain Ask, as well as Guildhall councillor Brian Watson.

North Yorkshire Police licensing officers said there had been 122 incidents linked to the restaurant between November 2011 and this month.

The residents’ application for a review of McDonald's Blake Street licence will be heard at a council licensing and gambling hearing next week, with a report saying evidence of “antisocial, abusive and intimidating behaviour, noise, disorder, criminal damage and littering”, often drink-fuelled, between 11pm and 5am has been provided.

The hearing has the power to change, suspend or revoke the licence, and can issue a “yellow card” warning about “future conduct”.

In a letter to the council’s licensing officers, Stonegate Court resident Joanna Gray – writing on behalf of “neighbours and local businesses” – said that, while living there, she and her teenage son “have been eyewitnesses to the most terrible behaviour imaginable” from McDonald’s customers.

She wrote: “We have witnessed frightening violence between drunken youths and are disturbed on almost a nightly basis by youths shouting, singing, swearing and verbally fighting.

“I feel completely intimidated by the frightening drunken crowds from McDonald’s. This situation will continue as long as McDonald’s are allowed to trade after midnight.”

Ms Gray said the litter levels caused by discarded McDonald’s containers were “shocking in such a beautiful city”, customers urinated and vomited in house and shop doorways, and residents were kept awake by “a constant flow of taxis”.

She said the problems vanished when the restaurant was recently closed for refurbishment, and while she had “admiration” for efforts made by McDonald’s staff to deal with the issues, they had not worked.

A management committee representing Duncombe Place residents and businesses has supported the review. Dean Court Hotel general manager David Brooks said anti-social behaviour stemming from McDonald’s was leading to lost business, more complaints from guests and damage to the hotel’s reputation.

Visit York chief executive Gillian Cruddas also said the restaurant’s 24-hour licence should be revoked. But council street cleansing supervisor Paul Willey said there had been a “massive, 100 per cent improvement” in litter outside McDonald’s since its refurbishment and clashes he had seen were usually “a few raised voices and handbags at ten paces”.

A spokeswoman for McDonald’s said the firm did not want to comment ahead of the hearing.

 

Catalogue of incidents involving city-centre restaurant

EXTRACTS from a log of incidents relating to McDonald’s in Blake Street since November 2011 by police licensing officers:

• November 6, 2011: Customer arrested for assault after hitting another customer with chair. Offender found guilty of assault and fined £300.

• December 29, 2011: Customer suffers swollen and cut lip after being assaulted. Offender found guilty of assault and given a six-month conditional discharge.

• January 27, 2012: Customer subjected to “homophobic verbal insults” in the restaurant. Offender fined £80 for public order offence.

• March 12, 2012: Two men arrested for racially aggravated assault in the restaurant and given cautions.

• May 23, 2012: Staff report finding “white powder” in restaurant; disposed of by police.

• June 4, 2012: Two customers ejected by door staff and arrested for causing disturbance in the restaurant. Both fined for being drunk and disorderly.

• October 4, 2012: Member of staff assaulted outside restaurant. Offender found guilty of assault and given two-year supervision order, 200 hours community service and ordered to pay £50 compensation.

• October 5, 2012: Taxi driver assaulted and vehicle damaged outside the restaurant. Offender found guilty of assault and criminal damage and given 12-month supervision order, 40 hours community service and ordered to pay £145 compensation and a £60 victim surcharge.

• Between November 21 and 28, 2012: Residents report youths causing nuisance, group of males and females “shouting and screaming” outside the restaurant, “rowdy youths” disturbing sleep and a man urinating in a doorway.

• December 28, 2012: Door staff report being punched in face by a customer. One person reported for summons for assault.

• January 1, 2013: Resident reports 30 people being “rowdy” outside the restaurant.

• February 28, 2013: Man arrested for being drunk and disorderly after “violent struggle”; charged and currently on bail.

• March 8, 2013: Two separate reports of fight outside the restaurant. Group leaves before police arrive.

• Of the 122 incidents reported to police between November 2011 and March 2013, 99 were between 2am and 5am, 23 were reported in December 2012 – the highest monthly figure – and 73 were on Thursday, Friday or Sunday.