Big Mac to go in axe blow

Mar 10 2006 By Poppy Brady

BURGER fans are clearly not "lovin'" their McDonald's - one of Birmingham's oldest branches has had its chips after 22 years of trading.

The closure of McDonald's, in Harborne High Street, could be bad news for trade on a road already struggling with empty shops and high rents and rates.

Harborne is the only branch in Birmingham facing the axe after the fast food chain announced last month that it is closing 25 branches across the country in a bid to improve profits.

The 36 staff at the Harborne base have been given jobs at other nearby McDonald's branches on Hagley Road, Bristol Road and in Northfield.

The branch will shut on Saturday, March 25.

A McDonald's spokeswoman said: "As part of an ongoing review of our restaurant sites, it has become clear that the location of McDonald's in Harborne is no longer suitable.

"Since the restaurant opened in 1984 the trading patterns of Harborne have changed and, as a result, we have taken the difficult decision to cease trading at this site."

But Phil Stokes, honorary secretary of the Harborne Society, said: "It's very disappointing that this branch is closing because it's always been a great people puller.

"It's a large two storey unit which we would like to see split into two or three individual shops."

Coun Deirdre Alden, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Edgbaston, said: "It worries me that a company like McDonald's feels trading patterns have changed to such an extent that they feel they need to move out."