Plans for a new McDonald’s restaurant in Cheltenham to operate until midnight have been approved, despite local residents expressing concerns about noise, antisocial behavior, and traffic safety. The fast-food giant will establish its third Cheltenham outlet at the former TGI Friday’s location on 374 Gloucester Road, adjacent to the Premier Inn.
Cheltenham already hosts two McDonald’s locations: one in the town centre on High Street and another drive-through at Kingsditch Retail Park off Tewkesbury Road. The latest proposal sought permission from Cheltenham Borough Council to serve food and drinks from 11pm to midnight daily, operating from 6am to midnight throughout the week.
Nearby resident Martin Lee voiced worries about increased noise and litter, noting past problems with the previous restaurant. “We were expecting a similar replacement to TGI Friday’s, but this seems like an expanded takeaway," he commented during the council meeting.
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Anthony Hopkin, another objector, highlighted the area’s predominantly elderly population and questioned the need for late-night opening, fearing it will attract younger crowds prone to disruptive behavior. “It will bring young people who may ignore requests to be quiet and dispose of litter responsibly,” he warned. Hopkin also raised concerns about traffic safety, particularly the challenge of turning right onto the main road late at night, calling for CCTV coverage to enhance safety.
County Councillor David Willingham echoed residents’ apprehensions, criticizing the application’s conditions as insufficiently robust. He urged the council to enforce stricter standards, including British Standard-compliant CCTV.
Representing McDonald’s, licensing barrister Sarah Clover addressed the fears, describing them as common but largely unfounded. She emphasized that with over 1,100 McDonald’s locations in the UK, objections are routine but do not typically result in licensing reviews, indicating positive community relationships overall. Clover assured that the proposed site would be company-owned, not franchised, and stressed McDonald’s commitment to being community-minded, highlighting their ongoing efforts in litter picking and other local initiatives.
She clarified that the application was only for an additional hour of late-night service and argued that similar extensions have not caused issues elsewhere. The licensing sub-committee acknowledged residents’ concerns but ultimately granted the late-night refreshment license with a majority vote, recognizing the limited hours proposed.