Locals in Crediton express fury over a new 24-hour McDonald’s, fearing increased litter and traffic woes in the Devon town.
Many fear increased litter and they also anticipate traffic issues. The restaurant includes a play area and its location is Joseph Locke Way. The restaurant plans to hire around 120 people with both full and part-time positions. This should result in increased local employment.
McDonald’s said customer demand drove the decision, adding they also wanted to offer more choices. Some locals shared concerns, with one person considering the UK is becoming too American. They think people will drive everywhere.
Another person thinks the location is problematic because it sits close to two roundabouts. This could cause traffic chaos. Someone else agrees traffic is already bad and they expect the McDonald’s to worsen it.
One person stated McDonald’s is a good employer. However, they dislike the impact on the community and the surrounding countryside.
McDonald’s has over 1,270 UK restaurants and they employ more than 120,000 people. McDonald’s first came to the UK in 1974. Their first UK branch was in Woolwich, London.
The first UK cinema advert appeared in 1975 and TV ads started in the UK in 1976. By 1983, the 100th UK restaurant opened in Manchester. McDonald’s first offered nutritional info nationwide, becoming the first UK chain to do so. Express reached out to McDonald’s for their comment.