A fast food chain has applied to stay open later as it hopes to compete with McDonald’s.

German Doner Kebab (GDK), in Gravesend town centre, has asked Gravesham council for a late-night licence so it can operate until 3am over the weekend.

The restaurant, which opened in New Road back in March, is currently open seven days a week from 11am to 11pm.

Yet if the application is approved it would be able to stay open until 1am Monday to Thursday, 3am on Fridays and Saturdays and 12am on Sundays.

Operations manager for the DS Group GDK South, Golam Rabbi, said: “We do have a lot of customers who have asked for late-night delivery and takeaway options which we are not able to provide due to the current licence.

“Also, at the same time, Gravesend town centre also needs someone along with McDonald’s who have a system in place for serving hot and quality food after 11pm.”

The branch offers both eating-in and takeaway services with click-and-collect or delivery with JustEat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

Concerns have been raised previously about the increase in crime in the town centre, which former sports bar The King’s Head gave as one of the reasons for closing.

In the past, KentOnline has also reported on a number of fights happening outside McDonald’s in the early hours and the eatery now employs security staff.

But in its application, GDK states how it plans to tackle anti-social behaviour if it was to occur.

It reads: “We will actively co-operate with the local police to ensure that we are made aware of particular problems which affect the area and which may potentially affect our store.

“We will not countenance the use or supply of illegal drug and our staff will inform the police immediately of any such suspected activity on or in the vicinity of the store.

“In the most unlikely event that a greater number of people congregate in the premises, that is conducive to public safety, we will not hesitate to ask people to leave the store and we will always encourage them to take advantage of our delivery service.

“Our store will have few customers who visit to buy our product to take away, but those who do visit will be asked to leave the premises quietly and with due consideration for our neighbours.

“We would have no hesitation in banning people who visit the store and regularly leave the premises in a noisy fashion.”

The restaurant, which opened in part of the former BHS store, will not sell alcohol, play music or supply any glassware.

The branch applied for the premises licence last week and is hoping to have permission by August 20.