Have your say on McDonald's plan (From Stroud News and Journal)

Have your say on McDonald's plan

STROUD could have its own drive-thru McDonald's restaurant by next year - but do we REALLY want it in our town?

If the multinational pitches up here some say it would be a strike at the identity of Stroud, while others believe it would be a feather in the civic cap.

Is this Stroud's big chance to bring a strong commercial presence to the town, or would it be a crushing blow to its unique qualities?

The SNJ is giving you the chance to have your say on whether the burger giant comes to town or not.

Stroud District Council Planners may decide before Christmas whether to grant the fast-food company permission for an 85-seater drive-through at Merrywalks. Fierce lobbying is expected from both sides of the fence in the run-up to that meeting.

So far, SDC has received hundreds of signatures and proforma letters plus between five and 10 personal letters of objection and one letter of support.

Ever since McDonald's first bid for planning permission was ruled out last year, it has been a talking point for the people of Stroud.

Against the idea is town campaign group Catalyst. Group spokesman John Mayford told the News & Journal he believes the very concept of McDonald's is wrong on many levels.

"There's the whole question of whether it's producing an economic good for the community," he said.

"It would almost certainly knock out local businesses, like chip shops, kebab takeaways, and Chinese takeaways.

"In effect it would be as successful for Stroud as the East India Tea Company was for India.

"From an economic point of view there is no level playing field - how much money have McDonald's got to spend on advertising?

"We are trying to promote local business - say no to McDonald's, say yes to local business."

But Stroud Chamber of Trade chairman Alan Tyndall told the SNJ he was in favour of McDonald's coming to Stroud, even though he would prefer not to eat there himself.

"It's a nonsense for people to be talking about regeneration and trying to hamper what is a very successful multinational," he said.

"Although I'm no lover of it, a large proportion of people, especially the young, enjoy McDonald's.

"It's wrong to try and stop it because of their own personal agenda.

"Personally, I'm very unlikely to use it but I recognise it's got a lot of appeal for some sections of the community.

"I think they should be allowed to have it and let the marketplace dictate whether it succeeds.

"Some of the pressure against it is inverted snobbery."

So now here is the chance to have your say on www.thisisstroud.com