McDonald’s is planning a new “multi-million pound” restaurant in the Surrey town

Fast food giant McDonald’s plans to open a new restaurant in Surrey with takeaway and McDelivery options. The new restaurant is planned in Caterham, which would be linked to couriers UberEats and Just Eat.

This is according to an application to Tandridge District Council, which hopes to see the Golden Arches set up a home in the former retail premises on Croydon Road.

The application states that the proposal represents a multi-million pound investment in the area by a national operator. It also suggested the new McDonald’s would employ around 120 staff, which the company hopes to recruit from the local area. This hiring is understood to include 30 full-time positions and approximately 60 part-time positions.

Drawings of the new restaurant show it would have a waiting area where customers can order and a dining area described as a relaxed and modern environment with a variety of seating and tables to accommodate up to 60 people. There would also be toilets, a kitchen, staff quarters and storage.

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Comments in response to the proposal were mixed, but mostly in favor of the benefits the new jobs would bring to the area, along with the effect of increased traffic on local businesses. One person optimistically said it would “bring much-needed jobs and traffic to local businesses”, while another worried about noise from customers and delivery drivers.

They said: “People are always partying at this type of restaurant and the noise will be excessive for those who live and work nearby. The delivery bikes will block the pavement and pose a hazard to pedestrians and other vehicles as they access the restaurant and move onto the road.”

The plans so take into account the impact of delivery drivers on the high street and propose six motorcycle parking spaces for couriers to park in to collect orders placed within a 1.5 mile radius of the store.

The documents also suggest that McDonald’s will be open either from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, or from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The applicant has assured that the restaurant will “maintain a strict protocol” to ensure that noise and disruption is kept to a minimum.

It said this would include training for all shift managers in conflict resolution so they are equipped to deal with noise and anti-social behaviour.

The nearest McDonald’s to Caterham can be found either in Redhill, Croydon or on the M25 Clacket Lane services. A decision on the planned new McDonald’s is expected from Tandridge District Council by September 2024.

Improvement works are currently underway on Croydon Road as part of the Caterham Masterplan. These are expected to last 11 months and finish at the end of 2024.

McDonald’s is a globally recognized brand that has been trading in the UK since 1974 and now has over 1,450 restaurants across the country, employing around 135,000 people. The filings state that about 90 percent of these restaurants are operated as local businesses by franchisees. McDonald’s has been contacted about plans for the new restaurant.

Approach: 35-41 Croydon Road, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 6QF

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