THE fast food chain, McDonald's has permanently shut its two-floor restaurant in the Metrocentre after deciding against a new lease.

The huge unit, which is in the Green Mall near Marks & Spencer, had traded in the centre for decades, recently undergoing a major refurbishment.

However, The Northern Echo understands that following the expiry of its lease, the fast food chain decided against renewing under longer terms from Metrocentre.

Read more: Coast to Coast restaurant in Metrocentre permanently closes down

McDonald's has since said the decision to close has not been taken lightly, as it has confirmed employees have been offered roles at other sites in the area.

The Northern Echo: The restaurant has been boarded up Picture: NORTHERN ECHOThe restaurant has been boarded up Picture: NORTHERN ECHO

The Northern Echo: The restaurant also had an external entrance Picture: NORTHERN ECHOThe restaurant also had an external entrance Picture: NORTHERN ECHO

Meanwhile Metrocentre bosses have said the expiry of the lease gives it an opportunity to "bring in" new brands, saying its seven new unit has opened since April 2021.

It now means McDonald's has just one restaurant in the shopping centre left, which is located in the Yellow Mall opposite Namco.

A Metrocentre spokesperson said: “McDonalds in the Green Mall has come to the end of its lease at Metrocentre however their Yellow Mall and Metro Retail Park units remain open.

“The lease expiry cycle gives us an opportunity to bring in new brands, and we are currently in talks with a number of retailers and service providers who are interested in that unit.

“Tag Heuer opened a new boutique in centre this week; the seventh new unit since lockdown restrictions were relaxed in April. 

"We are also in advanced negotiations with a number of exciting new names which we look forward to sharing in the coming weeks.”

McDonald's, which said that despite operating more than 1,400 restaurants and actively continuing to grow, on occasion it needed to make the decision to close a store.

A spokesperson said: "Unfortunately our Metro Green restaurant has had to permanently close due to a number of factors. 

"This decision was not taken lightly and all of our restaurant crew have been offered employment at our other restaurants in the area.”

It comes as the Coast to Coast restaurant and bar in the Yellow Mall announced that it would be permanently closing earlier this year.

At the time, a poster in the restaurant's entrance advised customers that the venue would not be reopening while thanking patrons for their custom.

-- 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054