McDonald’s will bring 65 new jobs to Matlock

Derbyshire Dales District Council’s northern area planning committee approved the application to build a McDonald’s drive–thru restaurant on the former Madison’s site in Bakewell Road. The application also included a Majestic Wines outlet.

Speaking in the meeting on Tuesday, Adam Brand, senior acquisitions surveyor for McDonald’s, said there would be 65 jobs created by the restaurant, which may increase over time. He added that the firm also provided good training opportunities for its employees, the majority of whom would be from the local area.

Mr Brand said he understood residents had raised concerns about potential litter as a result of the development.

“Staff at the restaurant carry out a minimum of three litter picks a day,” he said.

Sheila Allen, a director at Twiggs, which owns the land, said the firm had been struggling to find a tenant for it for some time.

She warned that in order to make the development commercially viable, McDonald’s would need to have opening hours of between 6am and midnight Monday to Saturday and 7am and 8pm on Sunday, adding that if they were not granted these hours the firm could potentially pull out of the deal.

Councillor Geoff Stevens said: “Young people will certainly welcome the addition.”

Cllr David Fearn added: “I think most towns would love to have McDonald’s.”

Cllr Bob Cartwright said that McDonald’s was like Marmite. “You either hate them or love them,” he added.

“I accept they have upped their game over the last few years, but we’re not judging McDonald’s in terms of their over all commitment to everything we think is important in the world.”

He added that he did not like the look of the Majestic Wines outlet, claiming it looked like an aircraft hanger.

Cllr Lewis Rose commented: “I think this really is a step into the 21st Century for Matlock and should be welcomed.”

Councillors unanimously approved the application subject to environmental health considerations over the opening hours and noise.

The committee also approved a planning application for an illuminated and non–illuminated sign for the restaurant.

Planning permission was granted on the condition that the signs were only illuminated during the hours of operation.

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