A KFC in Worcester wants to extend its opening hours until 2am, prompting fears over boy racers and public safety.

The branch in Nunnery Way currently closes at 11pm but has submitted an application to the city council to provide “late night refreshment”.

Councillors will decide whether to grant the request next Thursday (September 5) at a licensing sub-committee meeting.

KFC says the restaurant itself would still close to dine-in and takeaway customers at 11pm, but the drive through would stay open for customers and a restaurant side entrance will be open to delivery drivers.

A number of people have objected to the plans.

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One person said: “This restaurant already attracts many people driving vehicles up and down its access road and surrounding roads at excessive speeds, often late at night.

“These same drivers gather in the car park of the restaurant.

“Furthermore, there is littering and light pollution generated from the same restaurant.

“To extend the opening hours until 2am will cause further noise pollution, further littering and light pollution, further careless or dangerous driving and further traffic to a large residential area of Worcester.”

Another resident said: “Policing of the roads around this area has been under pressure for a long time, as the ‘boy racers’ still use the by-pass A4440 as a racetrack.

“Extending KFC opening hours will give these drivers more of an excuse to congregate even later into the night, compromising public safety and creating a nuisance.

“We should also consider the extra toll this will take on staff being asked to work so late and potential risk to them getting home safely.”

One neighbour said: “The route along Nunnery Way is already riddled with nighttime racers causing noisy disturbance and havoc for local police.

“It has frequently been the subject of police focus during the night and of complaints from neighbours on Warndon villages.

“I therefore highly object to this application which will inevitably cause prolonged disturbance to the already intolerable situation that we have to bear from the Nunnery Wood industrial estate and its visitors during the night.”