A town's McDonald’s has reopened following a six-week closure due to major refurbishments.
The Ducklington Lane branch in Witney has had a complete restaurant redesign, which "promises to deliver a better customer experience for all".
McDonald’s closed on Monday, June 10, after the fast food giant successfully applied to West Oxfordshire District Council to add extensions to its restaurant and move the entrance.
Ismail Anilmis is the local franchisee who owns the Witney and reopened the location to customers on Wednesday, July 24.
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Several new changes have been implemented at the restaurant. (Image: Press Association Images)
“I’m proud to reinvest in our Witney restaurant, especially as McDonald’s celebrates its 50th anniversary in the UK this year,” he said.
“The dining area is more contemporary, and we now have separate facilities for our dine-in customers and our couriers leading to a better experience for everyone.
Mr Anilmis, who owns and operates 19 McDonald’s restaurants in Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, added: “It’s exciting to see the fresh new look and feel of our Witney restaurant.
“I’m confident the changes will not only benefit our customers but also our staff as they will help make their jobs a little easier.”
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The site plan which had been proposed by McDonald's. (Image: C7 Architects/McDonald's/WODC)
Improvements include a front counter redesign which will create specific areas for different sales channels.
This means more space for customers to enjoy their meals, less congestion around touchscreens, and shorter queues.
A dedicated courier waiting area and entrance have also been added to the Witney restaurant.
This will allow staff to better accommodate courier needs, alongside reducing congestion in the dining area to create a more relaxing restaurant environment for customers.
A new kitchen design has also been introduced as part of the major refurbishment.
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Queues at Witney's McDonald's after lockdown. (Image: Iain Cruden)
This includes a bigger order assembly area and dedicated areas to prepare dine-in orders, which will reportedly help staff serve more quickly, efficiently, and accurately than ever before.
Improved break spaces and redesigned staff rooms have also been introduced as part of the changes following the reopening.
McDonald’s says these will create a more relaxing and comfortable space for staff to take a well-deserved break.
A spokesperson said: “With consumers increasingly looking for greater speed, efficiency and choice when ordering their food, McDonald’s ambitious ‘convenience of the future’ restaurant revamp programme will combine a new restaurant layout with the latest technology to create a more seamless and enjoyable experience for customers.”
Four bike racks will also be added in the car park as part of the plans.
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The busy restaurant, which opened in 1997, has attracted some criticism as delivery drivers and customers have started to park on the corner.
There are often long queues along the access road which is now shared with next-door Pure Gym.
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