Plans to expand Hartlepool McDonald's drive-thru - this is what's proposed

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department from bosses at the fast food chain’s London office to increase the size of the drive-thru at the Marina Way restaurant.

Planning documents state improvements would be made to the drive-thru to add a second lane to offer side by side ordering, while two new ordering displays for customers would be installed.

This would also include the installation of overhead canopies above the ordering stations, a vehicle height restriction bar and new digital signs, according to the planning application.

It said: “[Plans include] alterations to the drive thru lane to introduce side by side ordering, with the installation of two new digital customer order displays and overhead canopies, with a goal post height restrictor and associated works.”

The latest proposals also include a slight increase the the size of the site, with an 11 square metre extension to the rear of the building, while there will also be an extension to the freezer space in the restaurant.

Council public protection and traffic and transport officers have already confirmed they have no objections or concerns about the project, should it be given the go-ahead.

Earlier this month the McDonald’s in Marina Way was among branches of the fast food chain which saw queues as it opened its drive-thru to visitors following closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Similar scenes were spotted at the Burn Road McDonald’s in Hartlepool, which itself underwent a major makeover last August.

This was the second large scale makeover at the site in recent years, after in June 2016 it underwent work to install new digital technology, along with the addition of a second drive-thru lane.

A decision is to be made on the latest plans for the McDonald’s in Marina Way by the council planning department in the near future.

McDonald’s drive-thrus hit the headlines earlier in June after the fastfood chain reopened branches as lockdown eased, sparking floods of customers who sat in long queues to wait for their first drive-thru meals since March.

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