McDonald's told to tone down controversial plans for front of high profile Sheffield restaurant
Concerns over plans for city centre venue
Giant burger chain McDonald’s has been told to tone town controversial plans for the front of one of its most prominent Sheffield venues.
The chain is planning a big makeover for its restaurant on the corner of High Street and Fargate in the city centre, with a new look both inside and outside the venue.
But Sheffield Council planning bosses have put the brakes on plans which would have given the building a light, illuminated frontage, on what is considered to be an important, Victorian gothic building, which is also grade II listed.
A report by council officers reveals that the original plans had raised concerns because of a proposed light box and internally illuminated lettering on the sign.
The report said: “The applicant has significantly scaled back development proposals following initial concerns raised by the planning authority regarding illuminated signage and detailing proposed on this listed building in the conservation area.
“Essentially, development proposals now will see only redecoration of the existing ground floor frontage and projecting sign along with the installation of an internal digital screen. “
They said its redecoration in dark grey, which is now planned, would fit in with the rest of the area. The toned down plans have now been given planning permission.
McDonald’s plans to close the restaurant for the refurbishment in late July as part of a re-imaging programme, and it is expected to re-open in August.
McDonald’s has been trading in the building since October 2000, with the last refurbishment dating back to 2017.
The building forms part of what was originally a single shop, designed for William Fosters & Sons Ltd, which was a gents outfitters, by notable Sheffield architects Flockton, Gibbs & Flockton.
It is described by officials as being designed in the French domestic gothic style.
The alterations planned inside the building will see the removal and replacement of all modern screens and partitions and refurbishment of the toilets and ‘trash column’, and planning officials viewed them as acceptable.