Rural English area a McD’s holdout no more
LONDON — The county of Rutland, England’s smallest by some measures, has for years had varied gastronomic options: pub food, Indian cuisine, tapas and even a restaurant with a Michelin star.
But it was the only English county not to have a McDonald’s — until now.
Last week, the local council approved an application by McDonald’s for a new restaurant in the county, a decision that many in the area viewed as a surrender of England’s last fortress to fast food’s signature Golden Arches, despite a promise by the company that the outlet would provide at least 65 jobs.
Among residents’ objections to the
McDonald’s, which is planned near the town of Oakham, were worries over litter, noise, obesity and crime.
Rutland, a rural county with a population of about 37,000, has been noted for its serenity and beauty. It was hailed as “Britain’s best rural area for quality of life” by Halifax bank in 2015.
“There are numerous independent food retailers in and around Oakham that provide healthy, good-priced food alternatives,” Claire Baines, a Rutland resident, told the council, in one of 80 written responses by the public before the meeting that approved the application.
“Why, in this day and age of spiraling obesity, diabetes and other health issues,” she asked, “would you encourage the introduction of a fast-food restaurant serving nothing but junk food?”
Others said they hoped a McDonald’s might help modernize the county and reduce unemployment.
“Rutland is a stunning county, but it could do with moving on with the times,” Victoria Wallace wrote to the council, and Nicola Tyers wrote that the fast-food outlet would provide “the younger generation in the area with jobs and a place to meet with friends in a safe and friendly environment.”
Gordon Brown, the senior local council member responsible for planning, said the planning officers and council members had to be impartial when deciding on any new development, despite any passionate opinions on the matter among members of the public.