A DECISION over a new KFC has been delayed to give councillors a chance to see what the city centre is like at night.

Plans to build the popular fast food restaurant in an empty building in The Cross in Worcester looked set to be refused because of concerns over disorder, as well as objections by the police, neighbours, taxi drivers and Public Health, and it was expected that the council’s planning committee would support the refusal.

But it was a case of not counting your chickens before they hatch after support for the KFC split the committee at yesterday’s meeting at the Guildhall (September 20).

Councillors deferred a decision to allow some of them to see The Cross at night for themselves.

Supporting the KFC, Cllr Alan Amos, said: “The idea that one more takeaway in the area is going to lead us into some kind of social anarchy at a weekend is simply not true.”

Cllr Louis Stephen said: “We have planning policies for a reason and they are to make sure we have a vibrant city centre. The argument that the whole area is a mess and that it’s only one more takeaway is just adding to the problem. It doesn’t make sense to make it even worse.”

Cllr Roger Berry, also opposing the plan, said the council should be rejecting plans that would contribute to problems in the area and Cllr Joy Squires said the city centre did not need another fast food restaurant.

Cllr Chris Cawthorne proposed an overhaul, saying: “Let’s get Betfred out, let’s get the vaping shop out and let’s put some decent shops there.”

Cllr Stuart Denlegh-Maxwell felt it would be helpful if councillors went to the city centre at night before making a decision.