Greggs launches legal fight after ban on selling late night sausage rolls over fears of 'crime and disorder'
Greggs is preparing to fight a court battle against a ban on selling late night hot food
PA
Greggs is preparing to fight a court battle against a ban on selling late night sausage rolls and bacon baps at one of its stores in central London.
The bakery was refused permission to trade 24 hours a day at its Leicester Square shop after the Met Police argued that the extended opening times could lead to a wave of “crime and disorder”.
A three day hearing is scheduled for May 16, 17, and 18 when Greggs will appeal the decision not to allow it to serve up hot food after 11pm.
Plans for late night store faced complaints in July last year from the Metropolitan Police, Environmental Health, three local Westminster councillors and one resident.
The bakery was refused permission to trade 24 hours a day at their Leicester Square shop
PA
“It is our belief that if granted, the application could undermine the licensing objectives in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder," the Met said.
Last summer saw the opening of Greggs Leicester Square with a glam “blue carpet premiere”.
The majority of the food sold by the pastry business is made at industrial bakeries and then re-heated in store.
Shops do not need a licence to sell them because they are not kept hot in shops.
However other cooked products, such as bacon sandwiches, sausage breakfast rolls and potato wedges, along with tea and coffee, needs special permission from the local authority to be sold between 11pm and 5am.
Greggs claim that customers might become "confused" over why its full menu is not available all night, which is more likely to cause trouble.
The bakery chain also offered to employ security guards wearing body cameras at the Leicester Square location to ensure safety, but the request was refused.
Greggs claim that customers might become "confused" over why its full menu is not available all night
PA
The company has been locked in "mediation talks" with Westminster Council.
Westminster Council said the licensing committee "refused to grant the application on policy grounds" because Greggs had "failed to demonstrate exceptional reasons as to why the application would not have a negative impact on the West End".
It added: "Greggs would need to try to convince the court that their evidence provides exceptional reasons for allowing the Premises to operate until 5am, despite being located in a cumulative impact zone."