Third Stafford McDonald's planned for Kingsmead Retail Park
More than 60 jobs would be created under plans for a new restaurant and drive-thru at the retail park in Stafford.
Stafford’s Kingsmead Retail Park is set to expand after plans for a new McDonald's were revealed.
Around 65 jobs would be created under the plans for a two-storey restaurant and drive-thru at the retail park next to the A34.
If the proposals submitted by developers Triple Jersey Limited are approved, the Kingsmead restaurant would become McDonald's third store in less than a one-mile radius
The fast food giant already has stores nearby in Greengate Street and off Eccleshall Road.
The proposed store would offer around 35 full-time jobs and 30 part-time roles.
The new building would be built on part of the surface-level car park, which is now vacant after previously serving the town centre.
The retail park was empty for a year after Morrisons pulled out of the development in 2016, in a blow to local businesses as the car park remained closed.
But a B&M home store opened in August, followed by an Aldi supermarket in November. Just for Pets is set to open but a date has not yet been confirmed.
Councillor Chris Baron said: “It will hopefully encourage people to come into the town.
“When Morrisons left Kingsmead Retail Park, it had a big impact on the shops here.
"There are some lovely little shops and ever since B&M has come back into the retail park I can see the cafes are starting to look quite full again.
“The amount of jobs is good and McDonald's give good training for people.
"A lot of youngsters often work for them and it is great to get them into the workplace which gives them something to get up in the morning for.
“But this will be the second McDonald's in town and I would hate to think they would close the other one and leave another empty unit.
“I would like to see more healthy food outlets in the town but I do hope it can be successful for the town.”
