Changes are coming to the McDonald’s at one of the busiest retail parks in Reading as it is set to seat more than 100 people for the first time.
Reading Gate Retail Park is a shopping and eating destination in Whitley, located off the A33, close to Green Park and the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Newer occupants include Next, which opened last November, and Wingstop, which opened in March.
McDonald’s has maintained a drive-thru restaurant there for years, which is run by franchise company Fortress Operations.
A big change is coming to the restaurant according to plans that have recently been approved by Reading Borough Council.
This summer, McDonald’s applied to create an extension to fit a total of 104 customers inside.
Plans show 26 seats being created within the extension.
This restaurant currently has 82 seats, with the extension providing a net increase of 22 seats.
But the extension does mean that the outdoor area will be significantly reduced.
The area currently has 11 tables, which will be replaced by five next to the restaurant entrance.
The application was approved with no planning officer report being required on September 15.
McDonald’s also won permission to install two ‘M’ golden arches on a tower connected to the existing building, which was assessed by planning officer Sian Hickey.
Her report states: “The proposed signage is of high-quality design.
“In terms of location, size and appearance (including illumination levels) the proposed signage is considered acceptable and would not harm the visual amenity of the surrounding area.”
You can view plans for the extension and signs by typing references PL/26/0901 and PL/26/0902 into the council’s planning portal.
