Councillors angered by prospect of 24-hour McDonald's

Newbury town councillors claim opening hour changes to restaurant could increase crime and disorder

MCDONALD'S Northbrook Street restaurant has been granted a license to open 24 hours a day to the anger of Newbury Town Council.

The fast-food chain's application was approved by West Berkshire Council's last Wednesday despite the town council's objection on the grounds of public nuisance and crime and disorder.

Town councillor David Allen (Lib Dem, Victoria), told fellow councillors on Monday night: “The later opening will cause noise disturbance to local residents. It will also mean that more people, possibly in an intoxicated state, will remain in the town for longer, and so there is more likelihood of public disorder. More litter will also be generated and an even smaller time window in which to clear.

He added that despite McDonald's claims, there were residents living within 50 metres of the restaurant who would be affected."

McDonald's spokeswoman, Emma Brown said the fast-food chain is yet to decide whether to make full use of its license by opening for 24 hours everyday or just at weekends.

She said: “We believe that opening 24 hours would allow us to provide a convenient choice for our customers, but like any responsible member of the community our main priority is to be a good neighbour, whatever our opening hours.

“This particular restaurant is not located near a residential area but the restaurant does have measures in place to limit noise, including self-closing doors and we try to encourage our customers to be considerate to our neighbours.”

On the issue of litter, she added: “All of our restaurant teams carry out litter patrols three times a day.”