McDonald's wants to open all night, but residents resist

Published on Monday 6 September 2010 16:45

FAST food giant McDonald's has sparked protests by planning to open a 24-hour restaurant in the centre of Edinburgh for the first time.

The firm has lodged plans to keep its London Road restaurant open all day and night, seven days a week.

It says it's to help cater for the growing night-time economy by moving away from traditional opening hours.

Residents in the Meadowbank area fear it will bring increased noise, antisocial behaviour and litter.

There are also concerns that the extended hours, which also includes a drive-through, could put people off moving into new housing in the area.

Councillor Ewan Aitken, who represents the Craigentinny/Duddingston ward that includes Meadowbank, said: "This is not something that the local community wants, but they will have to pay the price for it.

"It will increase traffic and it is possible that it will attract the kind of night-time activity not conducive to a quiet life, as well as potentially bringing an increase in litter."

A recent report commissioned by the city council recommended allowing more non-alcohol premises to stay open later.

Cllr Tom Buchanan, the city's economic development leader, said: "It is easy to get a drink later in the evening but not so easy to get tea or coffee. Anything that allows that is encouraging."

However, he added: "What we would not want to see is that any concerns of residents are not taken into account. I'd like to see these concerns accommodated in terms of litter bins and appropriate numbers of staff being on hand to deal with an issue should it arise."

A policy for late hours catering in Edinburgh states that takeaway premises will not be allowed to open any later than 3am at the weekends or 2am during the week, though the licensing sub-committee can still grant permission outside these hours on an individual basis.

McDonald's on London Road was given permission in 2007 to open continuously from 5am on a Friday morning until midnight on a Sunday, and it has been allowed temporary 24-hour trading throughout the week during the festival period.

Councillors will now decide at a meeting on Friday whether to grant a permanent 24-hour trading licence.

A spokesman for McDonald's said: "We have applied to open our restaurant 24 hours but the important thing is that, whatever our opening hours, we will remain committed to being a good neighbour at all times.

"We would be very happy to meet local residents to discuss any concerns they have."

Cllr Colin Keir, convener of the licensing sub-committee, said: "Every application is judged on its merits. It is up to the committee to decide."