Watch as work starts on the first ever McDonald's for this Shropshire town

A developer for burger giant McDonald's applied for planning permission in April 2023 for a new branch in the Chartwell Business Park in Bridgnorth.

The applicants, Chartwell Development Limited, considered the Smithfield car park site near Sainsbury's as well as other town centre options, but the business park off Stourbridge Road was considered the most viable option.

The development will see Bridgnorth get not only its first McDonald's restaurant, but also the site is to be home to the the town's first Starbucks.

The plans were well-received by local people with more than 640 comments flooding in to Shropshire Council's planning department when the application was first lodged at the end of March, with many backing the proposals.

Shropshire Council granted permission, on the condition the developer install a new crossing on the Stourbridge Road.

Planning officials said: "The proposed development is considered to be a suitable form of commercial enterprise on a site located within the development boundary of Bridgnorth. The scheme is acceptable in terms of its layout, design, impact on the highway network, and implications for adjoining land uses.

"The proposal therefore complies with the requirements of adopted development plan, and the National Planning Policy Framework."

This week, diggers moved in and began clearing the ground to make way for the new McDonald's and Starbucks restaurants.

There will be 66 car parking spaces and a drive-thru for both chains.

The creation of a new McDonald's and Starbucks is set to create 135 new jobs in the town.