McDonald’s May Be Coming To Newtown – But Inner West Residents Aren’t Enthused

For years, major fast food chains were largely absent from Newtown, with the lesser exceptions of Oporto near the railway station and Guzman y Gomez, which opened in 2006, located along King Street. Now, a proposal for a McDonald’s restaurant is purported to have been submitted following the recent opening of a KFC franchise.

SLR Consulting Australia, who has previously worked with McDonald’s, lodged a development application on the eighth of July for a “24-hour Takeaway Food and Drink premises” at 212-214 King Street. The proposed restaurant would be situated inside a renovated late Victorian building typical of the area, next to the beloved Clem’s chicken shop.

That Newtown icon, among other local eateries, would be situated between the two closely-located behemoths.

The application promises that the restaurant “will generate employment opportunities” and “provide a convenient, accessible hospitality site to satisfy the demands of a range of local residents, workers and tourists.” Newtown has no shortage of pubs, restaurants and cafés which cater to the many who frequent the neighbourhood.

“This takeaway food and drink premise will provide training opportunities for young people to learn skills that will assist them with their future employment,” it continues, perhaps nodding to the disproportionate young population in the area.

The absence of a business name on the application has raised eyebrows. A proposed McDonald’s restaurant in Redfern was rejected by the City of Sydney in May, following opposition from the police and Aboriginal organisations. Another proposal, for a franchise in Balgowlah, was likewise rejected by the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel this month.

‘A place for smaller businesses’: Newtown locals are critical

Ambrose Hayes, a resident of Petersham, was not enthused.

“Newtown is a place for smaller businesses,” Hayes said, adding that a McDonald’s restaurant would “decimate the late-night food options” and Newtown’s atmosphere, despite there being “plenty” of McDonald’s and KFC establishments nearby.

A former McDonald’s manager who lives in Newtown shared this sentiment.

“I think it’s unfortunate to see giant fast food chains like KFC and McDonald’s popping up in Newtown, as I’d like to think the general area tends to favour smaller or more local shops and franchises, especially around King Street.” 

“I don’t think it would aid the local community but I also think it would unfortunately end up turning a profit, especially if it’s a 24-hour restaurant. Late night and early morning hospitality is in high demand for the area so I think that will be the case.”

Asked if there would be a benefit in terms of cheaper food, they were adamant.

“I think it’s obviously going to help people in terms of cheap and accessible food, but I’d rather any other option.”

A University of Sydney student and artist from French’s Forest, who frequents Newtown, was somewhat more ambivalent.

“I suppose it would be nice to give that space to people who really care about running a restaurant and the food they put out, but I suppose you could say the same about a lot of places that have a fast food chain,” they remarked.

Not Ronald’s first rodeo

A McDonald’s restaurant operated in Newtown from 1989 to 1998 in the building which is now the Irish pub Kelly’s on King.

A Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise also previously existed in Newtown.

The slogan “Keep Newtown Weird” was used in opposition to the recently-opened KFC restaurant.

Members of the public can lodge commentary on the proposal by SLR Consulting Australia during the exhibition period between the 11th of July and the eighth of August.