McDonald’s has been refused permission by Oxford City Council to remain open until 3am when it moves several slots down to a new location on Cornmarket Street, where Leon previously was. So far, the council report indicates the new venue will be allowed to stay open until midnight.
In its current location, McDonald’s has a licence to open from 6am to 3am every day, and the company applied for this same licence at its new location. The council has rejected this application on the basis that it is too close to residential areas, including student housing which is located above the new site.
In its reasoning, the council said that a 3am closure would “generate a level of activity that would be considered harmful to residential amenity,” pointing to nearby accommodation “including residential flats, The Store hotel, and Jesus College”. It said that “midnight is deemed an acceptable limit,” and is the same as the hours permitted to Cosy Club and the former Burger King in a similar location, both of which have consent from nearby student accommodation.
The new site will offer a larger space for the restaurant itself, with submitted floor plans suggesting up to four floors will be employed, although only two will be open to customers. The basement will be used as kitchen space, whilst the second floor is set to be converted into offices and an employee break room.
Although the relocation was meant to happen this month, that now seems unlikely according to The Oxford Mail, giving students at least a few more weeks of late night Big Macs to savour.
In response to these devastating developments, one student told Cherwell: “McDonald’s has saved me after many a night out, and I know that I am not alone in feeling incredibly shocked at this news.”
