McDonald's at Weymouth Gateway site to officially open today
120 local jobs will be created when the restaurant eventually opens 24 hours a day
Last updated 18th May 2022
Weymouth Gateway's new McDonald's is being officially opened today.
A special ceremony with Weymouth's new Mayor Councillor Ann Weaving will take place at 11am this morning, before the first customers are served.
It's the fast food chain's third restaurant in the area.
The new look store will be open from 6am-11pm at first, but has now secured a 24 hour licence.
Around 120 full and part time local jobs are being created and recruitment is still underway.
In agreeing the late night refreshment licence panel chair Cllr Emma Parker said members were happy with the company’s response to litter and the general management of the site – including provision for a separate space for delivery drivers which would only be able to operate until midnight.
Resident had told the hearing in Dorchester that there was no need for the business with a 24-hour McDonald’s just a short drive away at the Jubilee retail park – and said they fear late night noise from vehicles driving up the hill to Dorchester Road.
Some expressed concerns that it would attract more ‘boy racers’ who already cause a nuisance in the park and ride and Sainsbury car park – especially once the park and ride has gates fitted to close it down at night.
But with the McDonald’s new site covered by CCTV and only limited space available in the car park the panel was told boy racers were unlikely to be a problem and anyone playing music too loud from their cars would be asked to stop – either by staff or the police.
In addition the restaurant will be fitted with a Staffsafe system which includes fixed and mobile panic buttons linked to a remote control centre.
Although the two ward councillors and around 20 residents had objected the panel heard that there had been no objection from the police or the council’s environmental health team.