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McDonald's denies it plans to open a 24-hour drive-thru in Barker Road, Maidstone, and replaces sign advertising wrong hours

McDonald’s managers have served up a denial to suggestions it wants a new drive-thru to be open for 24 hours a day and have replaced a sign outside saying just that.

The venue is being built in Barker Road, Maidstone, but the promotional advertising on the site was at odds with what was agreed with Maidstone council.

When the application for a restaurant and drive-thru was approved in September 2013, officials stated it must not trade between midnight and 6am to protect people living nearby, and the company agreed.

Scroll down for a picture gallery of the site's construction

The McDonald's restaurant is still being constructed
The McDonald's restaurant is still being constructed

Council officers have spoken to the fast food giant about the sign and the company said it was put up by mistake and have since changed it.

A McDonald’s spokesman said there were no plans to apply for a 24-hour trading licence – at the moment.

He added: “This is only something we’d consider in the future if it had the full support of the local community, police and council.

“We can confirm that a sign indicating 24-hour trading has been put up in error.

“It will remain concealed until this has been rectified in the next week.”

The erroneous sign
The erroneous sign
A new sign has now been fitted
A new sign has now been fitted

Twin sisters Christine and Helen Dye, who live in two flats in Broadway Heights, which neighbours the restaurant, are not happy.

Christine said: “My bedroom is at the back of it. I am going to get noise and food is going to be thrown into the building.”

Helen said: “We don’t want it built there and it needs to be closed at certain hours.”

A council spokesman said: “We have spoken to McDonald’s and understand the sign was put up in error and has been covered.”

The new branch replaces the former Renault garage and the December completion date was put back after asbestos was found on site.

The site has been under construction since diggers moved in last year, with a large chunk of the restaurant’s structure put together in the past month.

It is scheduled to open on May 13.

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