Dark Ages

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Caroline Aston believes that the Golden arches are finally greeted by Rutland residents

The picturesque County of Rutland, with a Michelin-star restaurant, dozens of gourmet Restaurants and regular markets, But what is not everywhere to pick up a Big Mac . This can change everything.

These days, it seems impossible, to go anywhere without the Golden arches of a certain fast-food chain threatens in the view. But there is a whole County in England, the continues to Happy Meal-free zone.

Rutland seems to have escaped the U.S. burger giant's attention Until Now , But Mcdonald 's has the districts attention to the market town of Oakham and a drive-through restaurant in its exterior.

resistance to the regime among the nearly 40,000 people in this traditional, conservative county. More Than 50 people made official representations to The Council consultation, with comments like: "I'm proud of the fact that Rutland is the only County, not to Mcdonald 's. "

Many fear The Arrival of a big-name, fast-food restaurant is Famous for always changing the character of The Nation 's smallest county, for his hunting-scene, and independent schools.

"It is disgusting - Oakham is not The Place for it," says Sandra Wells, 57, has lived in Rutland all her life. "I don't know, like Fast Food , and there are too many Mcdonald 's [Elsewhere ]. "

in Mill Street in Oakham is home to many of the city's independent outlets

Fitness-Studio owners, Jade Smith, 35, in The County of More Than five years ago, because you and your partner liked its absence of large chains. She Said the officials should be held to the promotion of local businesses.

"people say, there is something for the children, But what we are aiming for? Our beautiful city doesn't need McDonalds. It is The Doors for the other chains] open and kills you. "

in fact, entrepreneurs are concerned about the great chain of competition in such a small area.

"It is like a Small Town , a Mcdonald 's," said Gaz Ali, who has managed Indian takeaway-Eastern delights for More Than 20 years. "And at the end of The Day , it comes to riff-raff. "

Mcdonald 's has about 1,300 restaurants in the United Kingdom, But has not always won successfully on the residents. If a Mcdonald 's came in Tavistock , in The County of Devon in the year 1997, the people boycotted, and nine years later, the company announced it was leaving.

has seen His failed encounter, other fast-food chains to back away from the city, according to Steven Eperon, head of The Cornish Arms pub.

Tavistock boycotted Mcdonald 's, if the move in the city he left behind nine years later

"It is a stop to someone else, such as KFC or Burger King come here," he said. "We are surrounded by great produce, we make Street Food festivals and farmers' markets, and people come here for the quality of the food. Perhaps the only Thing we would do is the U-Bahn. Some of The Kids round here you have to drive a half an hour in Plymouth for the. "

Mr Eperon, believes Mcdonald 's suffered in part because of its location, decided to have an "awkward location outside the city centre".

In Oakham , the burger chain hopes to build off Lands End Way, built in the vicinity of the bypass 10 years ago.

It is surrounded by a large residential development in recent years, while The Site itself is home to a large out-of-town Aldi and BP is already a petrol station with a M& S Easy to store food.

"a city with A ring road built around it, is often a very attractive offer for A Brand like Mcdonald 's - especially if there is densification," said Trevor Watson, executive director of The Restaurant , real estate agents, Davis coffer Lyons.

"will you, taking into account the population development and age structure of the surrounding residents, But also the kind of people who drive past. And if there is no competition in the area, it is going to be attractive. "

Abi Pepperdine Mcdonald says it could be the creation of jobs for Young People

This is exactly what concerns, resident Alan Eager, a 51 - he is afraid of the "type of people" it will bring, Oakham and is worried, families with small children are "preferred destination" for Mcdonald 's.

But in the city, a Big Mac are happy at the prospect of not traveling to a different County each time, if you want an Update.

Currently, the next branches, nine Miles Away (14km) in Melton Mowbray , Leicestershire, 12 miles (19km) in Stamford, Lincolnshire or 14 miles (22km) in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Stephanie Simmons, a 41-year-old mother of two, visits the latter with your family as often as twice a month.

"[It's] a bit of a treat," She Said . "It would be great to be [a Mcdonald 's] in front of the door. "

live long resident Caroline Aston, that the Golden arches would eventually hesitate to residents welcomed.

"Rutland has been enormous - if I was a girl, I would have a picnic, sit in The Middle of The High street. But it is the passage of time. It is a beautiful place To Live and I think people in Big Macs," She Said .

you might also be interested in: Oakham is a pretty conservative city with renowned schools and traditional buildings

Oakham 's mayor David Romney supports Mcdonald 's - it is proposed that The Restaurant could create 65 jobs - and believes it is the city from the "Dark Ages lift".

"do you want to be closed at the end with a very sleepy town with shops?", he asked.

He said, younger people were to leave the city for work When they finish school. In fact, they are especially the absence of Rutland are figures show the ageing of the Community , and there are far fewer 20-to 24-year-olds than 15-to 19-year-old.

Abi Pepperdine, a 19-year-old waitress, says that many of her friends struggle to find work.

"people go away for University, But When you come back, there's nothing here," She Said . "The jobs that would bring Mcdonald 's, would be helpful.

"Some look down on Mcdonald 's, especially older people, But it would not be that Bad - not to go if you want to, don't go. "

England's smallest historic County of

in Spite of the fears for Oakham independent scene, The Arrival of Mcdonald 's in the city would not be a "death knell" for the retailer, argues Nelson Blackley from The National Retail Research Knowledge Exchange Centre.

"Mcdonald 's has no plans to plonk your Website next to The Castle in the centre of Oakham ," he said.

"It's not in the historic part of the city. It is a web site on a bypass outside of the city with an existing gas station and convenience store.

"The fact is, your program contains a "drive-through" suggests you are not only looking to target the people of Rutland, But also tourists to Rutland Water .

"From an economic point of view, I would argue, that can only be a good Thing . "

There are about 1,300 Mcdonald 's restaurants in the United Kingdom

Mcdonald 's said The Restaurant would be "advantageous" to Oakham .

"We understand the historical nature of the city, said there are no suitable locations for our proposal," a spokesman for.

"We believe that the location of The Restaurant on The Outskirts of the city, close to the A606, is The Most advantageous and appropriate position. "

Rutland County Council, it was recommended that the plans for The Restaurant to be approved, But 27 attached conditions.

to construction sites, improving access, and a "waste management plan".

The application will be members of The Council discussed on Tuesday.

Outside of a recent consultation event, a temporary builder's exit out of his window and asked why the people had gathered.

As I said, it's about the future of Mcdonald 's, he laughed and shouted: "no one says no to a Big Mac . "

It remains to be seen whether or Rutland will be able to do this.

This article was first published on 16 September 2019 and has been updated since then.

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Source of news: bbc.com