The planning application for a McDonalds takeaway on Otley Road has now been withdrawn.
But locals couldn’t help but notice that whilst this application had received serious backlash for its potential to build congestion around the already busy road and add to antisocial behaviour on the Otley Run – there’s another fast food burger chain opening just down the road.
Work began on Burger King Headingley and the arrival of the worldwide chain was announced just a few short weeks ago when signage went up on Headingley Arndale Centre on Otley Road – and its thought that the new burger spot will be open in no time at all.
So what’s the difference between the two?
According to local councillors of Headingley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse – it comes down to the seating areas and delivery (or lack of) for each company.
The McDonalds opening had hoped to open entirely as a takeaway and delivery station. The idea would have been that those wanting to grab a Big Mac on their way back from work or mid-pub crawl would have ordered, but had nowhere to sit to eat their food.
By contrast, when Burger King opens there will be no delivery options at all, therefore reducing the potential for increased traffic in the area. It is imagined that those that are travelling to eat-in will also be able to use the Headingley Arndale Centre car park, whereas there is no dedicated parking at the proposed McDonalds site.
The difference between the two was clarified on a local Facebook community page by local councillors.
When asked ‘are the issues not the same’ for Burger King and McDonalds? Councillors clarified, “the Burger King passed as there was no delivery and seating inside. The McDonald’s proposal had no seating inside, so would have been delivery and takeaway only meaning people would either be parking on double-yellows, or literally eating in the street outside.”
Read More: Plans for an ‘Otley Run McDonalds’ have been withdrawn
Burger King is currently hiring for its Headingley branch, and is thought to open within the coming weeks.
Feature Image- Google Maps / The Hoot Leeds
