Bolton, a bustling town in Greater Manchester with a population nearing 300,000, is about to add yet another McDonald’s to its collection.
This new location will bring the town’s total to a staggering eight McDonald’s restaurants, positioning Bolton as a hub for fast food.
The latest addition will be situated on Cutacre Way, a busy employment park just off the A6 Salford Road, surrounded by popular spots like Greggs, Costa Coffee, a Pine Tree Farm carvery, and an Aldi supermarket.
New McDonald’s Location in Bolton: Close to Two Other Branches
The new McDonald’s will be in close proximity to two other locations in Bolton, making it incredibly convenient for locals.
It’s just an 11-minute drive from the McDonald’s on Manchester Road and only nine minutes away from another on Derby Street near the town center.
The new restaurant’s design promises to offer both a modern aesthetic and easy access for customers.
According to the design statement, there will be priority vehicular access from Cutacre Way, as well as pedestrian access via Bridgewater Avenue.
The restaurant will also have parking spaces for 30 cars, including three accessible bays and one electric vehicle charging bay.
Local Community Impact and Job Creation
Bolton Council gave the green light for the new McDonald’s on March 12, with the fast-food chain planning to create up to 80 new jobs in the area.
This expansion follows McDonald’s announcement of their biggest growth plan since 2002, with the company set to open 200 new restaurants across the UK over the next four years.
McDonald’s is clearly doubling down on its presence in the country, especially in areas where demand is high.
The Fast-Food Trend Spreads to Basingstoke: Another Town ‘Lovin’ McDonald’s
Bolton isn’t the only town experiencing an explosion of McDonald’s locations.
In Basingstoke, Hampshire, there are now five McDonald’s branches within a seven-mile radius.
While some locals seem pleased with the added convenience, others are voicing concerns.
In October 2024, nutrition coach Matthew Cowell staged a protest outside the newest McDonald’s, dressed as a doctor, to highlight what he sees as a growing health crisis linked to fast food.
His demonstration, which included handing out leaflets about heart disease prevention, drew mixed reactions.
Some people online criticized his stance, while others agreed with his concerns about the proliferation of fast-food options in the town.
McDonald’s Health Debate and Community Reaction
Matthew Cowell, who works as a lifestyle and nutrition coach, expressed his concern that the rapid expansion of McDonald’s in Basingstoke might be contributing to an unhealthy environment.
He believes that more options for healthy eating, like gyms or restaurants with natural, non-processed foods, would be a better fit for the area.
Despite his protest being met with some online criticism, Cowell was encouraged by the positive conversations he had with people during his demonstration.
He even suggested returning to McDonald’s to engage customers in a health quiz, offering a lighthearted way to educate people about their food choices.
McDonald’s £1 Billion Investment in the UK: A Growing Presence
As part of McDonald’s broader expansion plans, the fast-food chain has announced a £1 billion investment in the UK.
This marks a significant increase from the £618 million invested over the past five years.
This new investment will include the testing of smaller restaurant formats and will create around 24,000 new jobs.
With over 1,400 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK, employing over 170,000 people (many of whom are young workers), McDonald’s continues to solidify its position as the country’s largest private employer of young people.
As the fast-food giant expands, local communities are faced with a mix of excitement over new job opportunities and concerns about the impact of fast food on health.
For now, McDonald’s remains a staple of British life, with no sign of slowing down in the near future.