Skip navigation

Gloucestershire Business News

Make that a TRIPLE Mac: Plan for extra McDonald's in Cheltenham

Cheltenham is contemplating the possibility of a third McDonalds fast food option after plans were lodged which would see the former TGI Fridays venue on the A40 go under the infamous golden arches – and not everyone appears to be loving it.

When TGI Fridays collapsed into administration in September last year, confirmation soon followed (on October 8) that both the Gloucester Quays and Cheltenham's Gloucester Road restaurants were immediately closing. A rescue buyout by Breal Capital and Calveton UK saved 51 locations and close to 2,400 jobs, but it was a double blow for Gloucestershire fans of the American-style eaterie.

However, less than three months down the line, McDonald's Restaurants Ltd now has a keen focus on 374 Gloucester Road, having lodged a bid with Cheltenham Borough Council for several signage changes which, if approved, would pave the way for the third McDonald's restaurant in the town (the others being on the town's High Street and at the Kingsditch Retail Park, in Tewkesbury Road).

McDonald's submitted the designs in tandem with Harpenden-based Scurr Architects and the project appears at least at this stage to be a direct venture; Punchline-Gloucester.com has approached Incito Group Holdings, who operate the existing eight McDonald's outlets in the county (five in Gloucester, two in Cheltenham and one in Stroud) for comment on any potential involvement but no confirmation of any plan has been given.

For now though, the TGI Friday move is a clear demonstration of the brand's McDonald's at 50 vision, announced last August, which mapped out the food giant's plans for a £1bn investment and 200 new UK and Ireland sites over the next four years.

But initial reaction to the news of McDonald's interest does not suggest automatic support for the change. Motorbike dealer Triumph Cheltenham, which sits directly opposite the site, said that views were "mixed" among the seven staff who work there, but that the traffic implications would present a significant concern.

A spokesperson told Punchline: "The traffic is crazy here already, let alone with a potential addition of cars queuing to access the site. I would be very happy to have a McDonald's that is closer, but businesses and residents who live here are surely not going to relish the impact. There are better things you could put there, while given the size of the site and the potential for a Drive Thru channel, any overflow from that could be very bad: a journey that should take 15 minutes here can already take an hour."

Permission has already been granted for future restaurant use: in November, Leeds-based planning agents Quod successfully sought permission for change of use for the existing restaurant to a Class E flexible restaurant/cafe and/or hot-food-takeaway.

Five detailed submissions for signage and cosmetic changes to the existing building (inluding painting it grey) have now been lodged by McDonalds Restaurants. 

● Cheltenham Borough Council has set a date for consultation for February 19.

Related Articles

Fashion retailer to close at Quays Image

Fashion retailer to close at Quays

A fashion retailer is to close its Gloucester Quays store for a second time.

DECISION MADE: Loophole in law puts pressure on Eroticats licensing  Image

DECISION MADE: Loophole in law puts pressure on Eroticats licensing

Cheltenham politician said they have done "all they can" to close it.

D-day for No. 131 Image

D-day for No. 131

Plans for new structures outside No.131 Promenade will be discussed this week (February 13).

FOOD FIGHT: Ecotricity in spat over homeless project Image

FOOD FIGHT: Ecotricity in spat over homeless project

Friction follows Eco Parc appeal victory against planners.

Copyright 2025 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.