The new McDonald’s restaurant and drive-through at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook shopping centre opened its doors shortly after 11am today (Wednesday 14th September 2022) following a construction period lasting around seven months.
The two-storey building is part of a wider approved development that also includes a Starbucks restaurant and drive-through (now due to open in October).
The McDonald’s and Starbucks units were granted planning permission on appeal in January 2020, despite being opposed by the town council and a significant number of local residents, including some living in neighbouring properties.
Permission was granted by a government-appointed planning inspector after the application was twice thrown out by committees of councillors at South Glos Council, in a saga that spanned nearly two years (see timeline graphic below).
Closing at 10pm (for now)
The planning permission allows for 24-hour opening of both restaurants. But while McDonald’s recently secured a ‘late night’ premises licence, allowing it to serve food and drink between 11pm and 5am, the Journal can reveal that the outlet will in fact be closing at 10pm every night of the week (see sign below).
A manager from the franchisee company that runs the store said that although there is “an ambition” for the restaurant to trade through the night, this will not happen until next year (2023) at the earliest.
He added that slightly extended hours, such as until 11pm or midnight, might be introduced “around Christmas”.
Police presence
Bradley Stoke Police beat team PCSOs Adam Ali and Oliver Kirk were given early entry to the restaurant and were enjoying a coffee in the seating area on the upper floor as the first customers arrived. They said they plan to visit the new outlet on a regular basis – as a way of engaging with the community as well as using it as a base to complete paperwork, thereby avoiding the need to return to Patchway Police Centre.
Timeline of a controversial project
The first ground was broken at the site on Monday 14th February 2022.
More photos: McDonald’s and Starbucks in Bradley Stoke (Album on Google Photos)
Related links:
- McDonald’s and Starbucks at Willow Brook (The Journal)
- Takeaway Food in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)
