McDonald’s is seeking permission to serve customers through the night at its soon-to-open Newport Retail Park restaurant, with a late-night refreshment licence application now heading before Isle of Wight councillors.
The fast-food giant has applied to serve late-night refreshments between 23:00 and 05:00, Monday to Sunday, at its new drive-thru off St George’s Way.
County Hall officers have recommended that the application be granted.
The recommendation is to approve the application as submitted, subject to any changes to the proposed hours or additional conditions that councillors consider ‘reasonable and proportionate’ to promote the licensing objectives.
These objectives include preventing public nuisance, crime and disorder, maintaining public safety and protecting children from harm.
However, the Isle of Wight Council has received 1 relevant representation opposing the application.
Concerns have been raised that the restaurant’s operation could lead to increased litter in the surrounding area, as well as additional traffic, noise disturbance, light pollution, and food odours affecting residents and nearby properties.
A council report says:
“In regard to litter the applicant has acknowledged these concerns and confirmed regular litter picks and wider patrols will be in place.
“The applicant’s operating schedule states that, where practical, measures will be put in place to limit noise, that the restaurant doors are self-closing and that customers will be encouraged to be considerate to neighbouring properties when ordering food and leaving the area.
“Whilst odour can relate to the prevention of public nuisance licensing objective, no representation opposing the application was received from Environmental Health, who responded with no comment during the consultation period.”
The report also states that ‘no specific evidence’ has been provided to demonstrate that late-night refreshment at the site is likely to cause public nuisance through light pollution.
The licensing application comes as construction of the new McDonald’s reaches its final stages ahead of an anticipated opening next month.
As previously reported by Island Echo, McDonald’s is targeting a late September opening for the new restaurant, although an exact date has not yet been announced.
The drive-thru will give McDonald’s a second presence in Newport, alongside its existing walk-in restaurant in the town centre. It will also be the chain’s second drive-thru on the Isle of Wight, joining the existing restaurant on Brading Road in Ryde.
McDonald’s is 1 of 6 brands confirmed for the Newport Retail Park development, which is being constructed on the former Newport IW FC ground.
Aldi, B&M, Wren Kitchens and Superdrug are also set to open at the development, alongside the Isle of Wight’s first Costa Coffee drive-thru.
Plans for the wider retail park were first submitted in 2018, with construction eventually beginning in late 2025 following years of delays, revised proposals and a legal challenge.
The McDonald’s licensing application will be considered by Isle of Wight councillors on 1st September.
