A huge new Coventry McDonald's will open to the public today (Wednesday, March 8). It can be found on London Road in Whitley.
Customers can visit the huge restaurant for the first time at 11am. Around 100 people will be able to dine at the new restaurant, which will also have a 30-space car park nearby.
Concerns over the controversial development led to plans initially being rejected by Coventry City Council. A number of residents feared a 'cumulative effect' from the new fast-food restaurant and other developments in London Road, which include a new recycling facility.
Franchisee John Kiely MBE will be running the new restaurant on London Road. With the addition of this branch, the local businessman now owns seven restaurants in Coventry.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates.
End of coverage on McDonalds
Thanks for following our live coverage of the opening of the brand-new McDonalds in Whitley.
Our coverage has now concluded for the day.
Locals say new branch will be 'really convenient'
A number of locals say the new branch will be good for the city describing it as 'really convenient.' Concerns were initially raised about the plans, however, with some opponents saying it will put too much pressure on the road network in Whitley.
Issues had been raised with the local council before the scheme went ahead. Yet today, among the admittedly selective audience of people who were at McDonalds for a bite to eat, there was positivity about the new branch on London Road.
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'We have been so warmly welcomed'
A woman called Gemma, who was sitting with her family, said: 'We have just popped to Asda, to pick up a couple of things and grab some lunch afterwards.
'It is very nice here, we have been so warmly welcomed and the staff made sure the tables were clean when we sat down and they made a point of bringing some colouring pencils for my daughter and she has been very happy!
'I think this will bring something very good to the community as there are not many places to eat within a 5-10 minute drive so it is really good.'
'It will definitely help the community in some way'
A second girl said the location of the brand-new restaurant and drive-thru was 'so useful.'
Ameera said: 'I feel that this new McDonalds is really convenient as it is only a 10 minutes walk away and when you are coming over to Asda and see a McDonalds it is a really good feeling!
Before I had to travel to Willenhall, now I only need to walk and I really love this McDonalds. It is so useful.'
'I am going to be applying for a job here and it is definitely going to help the community in some way, especially the Whitley community. I usually come in with my family by myself it is very convenient.'
'I think this new McDonalds will bring people to stay local'
A teenage girl said the new branch would be 'easy' to travel to adding that she has previously 'struggled' to find a restaurant nearby.
Exauce, 19, said: 'I live five minutes away from here, and I have always been struggling to find a McDonalds the one we had was in Binley so having one here is so easy.
'I think this new McDonalds will bring people to stay local rather than go into the town and find different places.'
Interview with John Kiely
CoventryLive sat down and chatted with John Kiely MBE about the new branch on London Road.
He said: 'It was really exciting for my staff because it is a brand-new store so some of them would have seen it for the first time this morning. When they walked in to see the smiles on their faces in terms of what we built for them and how it looks and the facilities.'
'Customers have been queuing up or waiting to come in and braving this weather as you can see there is lots of snow around outside but they have been braving it and the feedback so far is fantastic.'
Mr Kiely also revealed whether he likes to tuck into a tasty meal from McDonalds.
'We are really excited'
Reporter Saskia Masaun has taken a trip to the brand-new restaurant on London Road in Whitley.
Franchisee John Kiely told CoventryLive: 'I own seven restaurants in Coventry including the city centre and this is our latest addition which is in Abbey Park right beside Asda.
'We are really excited. We have had lots of customers who have come to see us this morning which is great, they have braved the weather to come and see us.'
Where is the new branch?
Customers can find the new restaurant and drive-thru on London Road in Whitley.
It can be found in the car park of Asda Abbey Park Superstore.
John Kiely: 'People are at the heart of our business'
Franchisee John Kiely will run the brand-new restaurant on London Road. With the addition of this restaurant, John will now employ 850 people and own and operate seven restaurants in Coventry.
He said: “My team and I are excited to be opening a brand-new McDonald's restaurant in Coventry. People are at the heart of our business, and we look forward to welcoming over 130 of our colleagues to their new restaurant. We're committed to investing in opportunities for a mix of all ages, life stages and backgrounds, promoting flexibility and equality.”
130 jobs for Coventry
McDonalds previously said the new eatery has created 130 jobs for the local community.
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McDonalds opens on London Road
A huge new McDonalds restaurant and drive-thru has opened on London Road in Coventry.
Customers can visit the new branch from 11am today (Wednesday, March 8).
