Fast-food giant McDonalds '˜definitely' still coming to Matlock

The retail development incorporating the fast-food restaurant and drive-thru on Bakewell Road has been plagued by months of delays, fuelling speculation over its future.

But Richard Tarbatt, director of site owners William Twigg (Matlock) Ltd, this week moved to reassure residents that the ‘Golden Arches’ would still be coming to town.

He said: “I would like to reassure residents of Matlock that we hope to start work in the next few months.

“The current delay is due to the quality of the ground presenting significant engineering challenges which are currently being addressed.

“These things take considerable time and it’s important we get this right.

“We’re very keen to get the site tidied up and McDonalds are definitely coming.”

Planning permission for the development of the former Madison’s site, to incorporate a McDonalds restaurant and drive–thru alongside a wine merchant, was originally granted by Derbyshire Dales District Council back in August 2014.

Construction work was due to get underway last summer, with the new restaurant opening in early 2016, but the project has suffered repeated delays.

In August, William Twigg Ltd, which will own the facilities and lease to operators, revealed one of the tenants, Majestic Wines, had pulled out of the project, forcing the plans to be amended to incorporate a new car wash. These were eventually rubber-stamped in September.

“Our new restaurant will provide significant investment for Matlock,” said a spokesperson for McDonalds previously.

Around 80 jobs are expected to be created by the development; 65 at the new McDonalds and 15 at the car wash.