Details on new McDonald's at upcoming Weymouth Gateway scheme

The fast-food giant has launched a proposal to open a late-night drive-thru branch at the new retail park off Mercery Road, and has recently submitted an application for a licence to do so, extending the hours it already has permission for.

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An artist's impression of how the McDonald's will look when complete

As reported, the out-of-town retail park is nearing completion and will also include a Costa Coffee, B&M, and Dunelm.

McDonald's has already been given permission to open from 5am until 11pm, but a request to Dorset Council's Licensing team seeks permission to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks for consumption on and off the premises at number 2 Souter Way between 11pm and 5am.

If granted the licence would be effective from the 'end of April', according to Dorset Council.

In a bid to reassure the community the fast food giant listed measures in place to prevent nuisance and disorder.

A spokesman for McDonald's said: "This restaurant understands that in extending our opening hours we have a duty to the local community and that we continue to protect our staff and customers from danger and harm.

"We believe that the systems we have in place are robust, thorough, and will, as far as reasonably practicable, secure the promotion of the four licensing objectives.

"It should be noted that no McDonald’s restaurant within the United Kingdom serves alcohol and further none of our drinks or food are served to customers in glass receptacles."

The chain added that it is 'content' to put measures in place to limit noise 'where it is practical to do so', and that they will try to encourage customers to be considerate to neighbours and to limit noise when ordering food and on leaving the branch.

Documents submitted as part of the application show controls are to be put in place to prevent operational noise from the premises' kitchen from disturbing neighbours.

Alex Lomas, senior acquisitions surveyor (south) of McDonald's Restaurants Ltd, said: "We are proud of the role we have played in Weymouth for many years now and are very excited at the prospect of opening a new restaurant as part of the proposed development at Weymouth Gateway.

"We currently operate two McDonald’s restaurants in Weymouth: a restaurant at 72/73 St Mary Street, and a drive-through restaurant at Jubilee Retail Park.

"The (Gateway) site reflects our commercial requirements and preference for co-location with complementary retail and leisure occupiers. We firmly believe this new restaurant will help serve our customers in the town and we’re very excited to be part of the area’s growth."

A spokeswoman from Dorset Council said: "The application will be going to the Licensing Sub-Committee for determination at the end of April."