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McDonald's at Minster services applies to extend their opening hours causing backlash from locals

Villagers have hit back at an application for a McDonald's to stay open 24 hours a day.

Despite already operating a 24-hour drive thru, bosses at the Minster branch have applied to keep the restaurant open too, which is currently shut between 11pm and 5am.

But some locals are opposing the bid - with one referring to past incidents of a burger being pushed through a letterbox and a car splattered with ketchup.

Minster service McDonald's. Pic: Google maps
Minster service McDonald's. Pic: Google maps

Thanet council's licensing sub committee, which will discuss the application tomorrow, has received numerous letters against it.

Concerns over littering and anti-social behaviour among other problem have been set out in the letters, with residents saying these issues are already a problem and the extended hours would only make the situation worse.

One Tothill Street resident spoke of burgers being pushed through letterboxes, people urinating in their driveway and milkshake and ketchup being thrown over a car.

The resident added: "I know these behaviours are all carried out by people going up to McDonald's as when it was closed for refurbishment it all stopped and I was able to sleep undisturbed with the windows open."

The police have also opposed the application.

Chief officer of police, Sharon Adley, said: "This application is not being supported by the Police.

"I know these behaviours are all carried out by people going up to McDonald's as when it was closed for refurbishment it all stopped and I was able to sleep undisturbed with the windows open" - Concerned resident

"The Police have concerns about his application as there is already evidence that the premises have an anti-social behaviour issue in its current situation.

"This application is to allow the opening of the whole premises for 24 hours.

"By supporting the premises to be open inside the restaurant will add more concerns to this location.

"This will only fuel further issues by allowing the problems that have been situated outside to transcend inside.

"The free Wifi, no security, causes serious concerns. This will also add extra noise of patrons leaving the restaurant to go back to their vehicles during these hours.

"The police have had meetings with the premises in trying to reduce the current concerns but no further feedback has been received.

"The points have been raised about securing the vehicle registration on every sale during the sales when only the Drive through is in place.

Thanet Council offices in Cecil Square, Margate
Thanet Council offices in Cecil Square, Margate

"This would assist the premises when rubbish has been discarded from the vehicle and located action could be considered against the offending vehicle.

"The premises have not engaged any further with the police on this matter.

"The Police feel the current licence should not have its hours altered and that the premises should consider extra conditions for the premises for it existing licence."

The police also laid out some suggested conditions that could be added to the licence.

These include CCTV being installed and wifi being turned off from 11pm.

Some residents even called for the current opening hours to be shortened.

One said: "I ask that you do not extend the licence to open 24 hours and if possible reduce it to 6am - 10pm with no night services at all.

"We are a village it is not needed or welcome here."

Another wrote: "If it was possible I would like to restrict the opening time from 0600 to 2200hrs for everyone's peace at night."

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