TIM Hortons has been given the green light to operate 24 hours a day – meaning night owls will be able to get their caffeine fix whenever they like.

The coffee and donuts specialist has a store in Linwood Road and is set to open another at Renfrew Road Retail Park, in Paisley, in September.

A representative from the Canadian chain appeared at Wednesday’s Regulatory Functions Board at Renfrewshire House looking for late hours catering licences for the two spots.

The current hours of the Linwood Road store are 5am to midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and until 2am on Friday and Saturday.

Councillors decided to allow both shops to operate round-the-clock as Tim Hortons looks to provide coffee and baked goods to those working in the early hours.

However, elected members were keen to ensure plans were in place to ensure night staff would be safely transported home after their shift.

The company spokesman said: “We are open to the possibility of providing transport using a local taxi firm for members of staff who are not able to drive.

“That would only be for those doing the night shift.

“We have had meetings in-house to discuss the possibility of taxis.”

Staff who work the night shift will also receive premium pay between midnight and 5am.

The Linwood Road store, which is situated opposite Phoenix Retail Park, opened in December last year.

The drive-thru is built on the grounds of the former Rootes factory headquarters.

Bosses are working hard for the launch of the second branch at the retail park and dozens of jobs are expected to be created in the process.

Tim Hortons opened its first store in Canadia in 1964, with eight out of 10 cups of coffee sold in the country bought from their stores. 

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