Drive-through’s building work may start in winter

Work on a drive-through McDonald’s restaurant could begin in a north-east town later this year.

The fast-food giant wants to build an outlet on the site at Portlethen Retail Park.

The outlet was given approval by Aberdeenshire Council in June after submitting plans.

The proposals were part of an application that will also see a revamp of the Asda store.

This includes a six-pump petrol station and clickand-collect lockers – from which customers can collect shopping ordered online.

The refurbishment means that the supermarket is to close for three months from the end of July.

A spokeswoman for McDonald’s said: “It will likely be the end of this year or beginning of next once Asda has completed its upgrade.”

It is hoped the new restaurant will create 65 jobs.

Ron Sharp, chairman of Portlethen Community Council, said: “We had raised a few concerns regarding the litter at the site and a representative from Asda did attend one of our community council meetings.

“It went really well and he said that McDonald’s are really good at keeping the area tidy and send out their own teams to deal with the rubbish.”

North Kincardine councillor Colin Pike said: “Anything that gives another opportunity for employment, particularly for young people, has to be a good thing for the town.”

VISION: An artist’s impression of how the McDonald’s drive-through restaurant could look at Portlethen