Forum Topic

Brentford McDonalds

We were passing through McDonalds last week and saw that it was completely closed down and lots of construction type work happening inside. Are they doing some renovation, or have they decided to shut down?

Raj Patel ● 3330d27 Comments

Regarding the re-opening date, their website still says 27th July but I am not so sure looking at the current state they are in, and just 5 days to go

Raj Patel ● 3304d

The bag of Subway litter is still there 2 days later, and my particular gripe of the load of cigarette butts at the corner of the pavement to the entrance to the Jet petrol station (because all the workforce of the hand car wash loiter there smoking) is particularly bad this evening.So LBH's Streetscene team don't seem to be doing much to me (not that I blame them as such, lack of resources and all that) and to be honest Guy personally speaking I really don't think it's fair to single out McDonalds for 'special treatment'.  At the end of the day they can only do so much and can't be accountable for what a minority of idiot customers do off-site, whereas in the case of the petrol station/hand car wash it is the employees themselves who are littering the streets, so I'd rather such companies be targeted.

Adam Beamish ● 3312d

Even though I do drive a fair bit, I probably use public transport more and walk a lot, certainly locally.It dawned on me that whilst I will admit to a liking of the now discontinued McDonalds Big Breakfast, the place is a Drive -In and I have only ever walked in.Not once have I ever used it in my vehicle. No idea why, never thought about it before!But I guess that walking does reveal what you may miss when cocooned in a vehicle.On foot, you do see the litter, hear the banter, see the antics, smell the coffee etc etc.

Raymond Havelock ● 3313d

From the Mcdonald's website"McDonald's restaurants are very much a part of the local communities in which they operate and restaurant staff and our franchisees take pride in the appearance of the local environment. We tackle litter in as many different ways as we can. As well as daily litter patrols, we also hold regular local clean-up events together with the national Tidy charities."Needless to say, they have not replied to my email, but a local resident has volunteered to go in with me and talk to local management when it reopens.

Guy Lambert ● 3314d

Walking along the High Street/Kew Bridge Road this morning I couldn't help but notice how much rubbish there was, Subway bags/packaging discarded, an unlabelled plastic food tray, 2 Sainsburys bags stuffed full of rubbish just left under a street tree.Given there's not a Subway for at least 15 minutes walk away, this shows to me how there isn't a strong correlation between the location of litter and individual stores.  It is simply a case of human laziness, for which the stores themselves cannot be blamed.Thanks to Raj for the update as to when the McDonalds might be reopening (not that it bothers me either way !).

Adam Beamish ● 3314d

A very driver-centric viewpoint there, Raymond. Do either of those things in the wrong place, and you are endangering other's lives - that what the road markings mean, They're not just there to annoy people.A good start against littering is just to challenge, embarrass, shame. But that involves 'us' doing something instead of 'they'.I would also like to add that I've noticed that many drivers turning right on to Ealing Road from the High Street who stop in the bike box (illegally) appear to be going straight into MacDonalds. Cycling home has been a lot safer recently.

Steve Allen ● 3314d

Hi AdamI think I read somewhere that it is due to open on the 27th of July

Raj Patel ● 3315d

Park to take a phone call or check a map and you risk a ticket.Park to pick up or drop off someones' kid's and you risk a ticket.Drop litter, defacate on the pavement, vomit in a front garden and nothing happens at all.We really could do with a realigning of what is acceptable and not acceptable.

Raymond Havelock ● 3322d

Agreed, and as I said earlier it is a matter of fact that no company can be held responsible for litter discarded outside the curtilage of their premises.  Working with another major fast food operator as I do, I know that such companies do try to be proactive, but we can't expect their staff to go wandering off down the High Street to pick up litter (forgetting the issue of whether they pick up litter that is nothing to do with McDonalds or leave it).So effectively whilst we could debate this for years, the  fact remains that the LPA can't require any organisation to collect litter from outside the curtilage of its site,  end of story.What I'd love to see is more enforcement of action taken against people who litter, but in this day and age of dwindling local authority resources it's never going to happen.As we have young relatives coming to visit us soon (who are of the age that are attracted to the idea of hanging out at McDonalds) does anyone know when it's re-opening ?!.

Adam Beamish ● 3323d

I agree McDonalds should ensure their bins are regularly emptied, but the major cause of any rubbish is "people". The people should be accountable and take responsibility for their own rubbish.

Richard Smith ● 3323d

Dear GuyI hope you get a response from McDonalds. The litter amount on Ealing Rd and Waterman Park has reduced dramatically since the McDonald closed for refurbishment. You can safely say there is a direct relationship between them. The bins are no packed full of McDonalds waste and more so, cars are no longer able to drop litter while they drive off.  They do nothing to reduce the waste outside their premise, which they need to be accountable for, as I am sure they make goods profits from that site. And now with the site getting bigger, I fear more litter will flow back on to the street.  If this does continue and the council do not help, then a few members of the public will take to the street to clean it of McDonalds waste, however the collection will be placed right back in the actual shop, out of the bag on the floor. They can clean it from there. It is a disgrace that they have been doing this to the area for years, or at least ask the council to clean the roads and bins more times.

Raki Smith ● 3323d

It's good to have a pro active Councillor.  Even if one does not agree with him every time.Good on you.

Raymond Havelock ● 3326d

Thanks for checking that out, Guy.  Maybe it was concerns voiced by people commenting on the application.  Cheers.

Sarah Felstead ● 3326d

While approaching McDonalds can we find out what they are going to do to stop their drive in patrons exiiting through the High Street entrance? I've seen and had several near misses while walking to the bus stop.'No exit' signs are not good enough - half can't or choose not to read. Maybe the adverse metal or plastic plates in the ground?

Ken Collins ● 3326d

I had a look at the original application (for the Red Lion, obviously :-)) dating back to 1996 which I was surprised to find is available on the council website.There are a number of conditions but none mention litter. Same appears to be true of various later planning approvals.However McD's website says they help with litter so I have written to ask them what they do round here. Watch this space!

Guy Lambert ● 3328d

The problem is that planning controls don't extend to outside the site boundary, so whilst such organisations might off their off back be willing to do regular litter picks in the immediate vicinity of their establishment, they can't be forced to do so.As for street litter bins, not only are they generally not enough but they are not emptied frequently enough - one only has to wander through Carville Hall midway through a summers weekend to often see the few bins totally overflowing etc.Given how rarely I actually witness people dropping bigger bits of litter (regularly see people throwing cigarette butts away, which irritates me), I'm always curious as to where it all comes from, although presumably primarily later in the evenings after the pub etc. ?.

Adam Beamish ● 3328d

Thank you Guy

Barry Jacques ● 3328d

Guy.  Some Macdonalds have the litter picking clause agreed as a part of the planning process, I seem to think this was a discussion about this site, but I have no Idea why I thought that.  Maybe the original application and discussion notes could be fished out to check.  The bin would need to be emptied pretty often.

Sarah Felstead ● 3328d

They certainly used to. But the worst litter is the disgusting way in which those who eat in their cars just chuck everything out of the window.McDonalds own car park is the worst where they are too lazy to even go to one of the many bins provided on site.To be fair McDonalds staff clear up after these £@$&^% all the time and the car park is pressure washed very regularly.  One does not see too many places being cleaned outside to that degree.It is also very bad in Albany Road, everything from waste food to vomit and human waste. Usually by the garages and what was the public loos. A favourite place for van and minicab/chauffeurs and less desirables to have a break. Not a problem except for the mess, which some poor soul has to clean up.

Raymond Havelock ● 3328d

I just had a litter bin placed outside the Watermans centre and have asked for one at the stop opposite Morrisons/county court (haven't noticed if it's appeared yet but Hounslow Highways agreed to it)I thought there was one at Goat Wharf - will check.If you see places where a bin is needed tell H Highways or PM me: if I agree I'll try and make it happen.Been meaning to contact the manager at McDs to see if he'll do any litter picking as I believe some McD's restaurants do

Guy Lambert ● 3328d

The bus stop at Goat Wharf is a popular spot for eating McD whilst waiting for a bus but there is no litter bin there.  Consequently, there is always lot of discarded packaging and empty drinks containers left lying about. Very clean at the moment. Who determines where litter bins are located?

Barry Jacques ● 3328d

Wouldn't entirely disagree with Matthew's comment but from the work I do with one of McDonalds main competitors I know how much effort such companies put into minimising littering.However, there is only so much such companies can do, Council/street litterbins are not longer emptied frequently enough hence why all across the Borough bins are often overflowing with rubbish strewn around them, and unfortunately there is always an idiot minority who simply don't give a damn and discard of their litter anyhow they feel like.

Adam Beamish ● 3329d

I don agree with the comment, there far less rubbish in the area, while they are closed. i hope McDonalds work on their as there usage will increase the new design

Raki Smith ● 3329d

I miss their Big Breakfast. They have discontinued it. The perfect 6am get -you through- the -day meal.Never been back.

Raymond Havelock ● 3329d

I walked from Ferry Quays to Kew Bridge yesterday via Waterman's park. There was noticeably less litter on the pavements, in the bus stop opposite Albany Parade, no litter in the bus stop at Watermans and very little litter in the park itself.  And then I remembered McDonalds was closed.  What a shame it has to reopen.

Matthew Taylor ● 3330d

Various changes to the layout, store and signage, as approved by a recent planning application and associated advertisement consent application which was approved in April - description of development as below."Reconfiguration of the car park and drive thru lane to provide a side-by-side order point, incorporating a new island for signage and reconfigured kerb lines and associated works to the site. Demolition of the existing corral and construction of new remote corral and bin store. Refresh of the restaurant with additional cladding to the roof and the installation of 3no extensions totalling 22.75sqm. The installation of 2 x Customer Order Displays (COD) and a new goal post height restrictor. Reconfigured signage suite with additional signs."

Adam Beamish ● 3330d

Ironically, Last time I was in McDonalds, It passed through me swiftly and I had to close down for a few days.I am sure they will be open very soon, if not already.Alternative McDonalds are available

Richard Smith ● 3330d