Plans for a new McDonald’s restaurant at the Coliseum Shopping Park in Ellesmere Port have moved a step closer. We revealed last month that the fast-food giant wants to open a branch with more than a hundred seats at the vacant former TUI store.
It says the new eatery would help “ease pressure” on its popular drive-thru restaurant at the neighbouring Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, which “operates significantly above capacity”. Travel company TUI vacated the unit last year in order to downsize by relocating to the former Maplin store.
Although a full planning application – proposing external alterations including removing a section of existing glazing to the side of the building to provide a new glazed door as well as installing a new double door to the rear of the site – has been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council, it is yet to be ruled on.
READ: McDonald’s unveils plans for Coliseum Shopping Park restaurant The fast-food giant wants to open a branch at the former TUI store to ‘ease pressure’ on its Cheshire Oaks restaurant
READ: Lindt to open new Cheshire Oaks store with ‘barista bar’ serving hot drinks and ice cream The new shop is ‘opening soon’
However, the council has rubber-stamped a separate advertising consent application for a ‘Golden Arch’ sign at the front of the property. Case officer Chloe Bellion states in a report recommending approval: “The site is located within a purpose built retail park with signage being very common within the surroundings.
“There are numerous examples within the vicinity of large signage on buildings. It is considered here that the proposed signage would be in keeping with the use of said building and with the signage in the surrounding area.”
The full planning application, which is awaiting a decision, states: “McDonald’s proposes to operate a restaurant from the unit, which will provide around 105-115 seats. McDonald’s existing drive-thru restaurant at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet operates significantly above capacity, which brings impacts in terms of both customer experience and traffic congestion at peak times.
“The proposed new restaurant at Coliseum Shopping Park should ease pressure on the existing restaurant at Cheshire Oaks. The proposed external alterations are necessary to meet McDonald’s operational requirements.”
The latest restaurant plans come just weeks after McDonald’s got the green light for a new drive-thru restaurant on vacant land just off the M53 in Ellesmere Port. Around 120 jobs are set to be created by the new development on a site next to the Green Oak Farm pub.
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