Nailsea: Plans for new McDonald's in North Somerset town

Nailsea could get its first McDonald's restaurant next year

A McDonald's fast food restaurant could be built in a town centre's old bank building after plans were submitted.

The application submitted to North Somerset Council would see the former NatWest Bank at Somerset Square in Nailsea turned into a new restaurant.

The site has been boarded up in the town since it closed in 2019.

The consultation on the plans run until 18 January and a decision is set to be made by North Somerset Council later in 2024.

One resident objecting to the proposal said: "We need shops but not fast food chains. We don't need another poor quality fast food outlet contributing to our poor health.

Another commented their disapproval for the plans: "I would prefer we didn't have another fast food outfit in Nailsea with the associated poor nutrition and litter."

The old bank building in the square has been empty for four years.

There are others who support the investment into Nailsea's town centre and empty shops.

A resident commented: "I genuinely hope this application gets approved despite the entitled whining from the usual retired suspects.

"Even if you don't care for fast food it's great to some desperately needed investment in the town centre."

Another resident supporting the application said: "This will be a great draw and it will also help save emissions from people driving to Portishead, just to get a McDonald's."

The application for the new McDonald's covers two units in Somerset Square and includes new illuminated signage.