Plans are in motion to transform a former McDonald’s into student housing in Nottingham, sparking mixed reactions from locals.
Nottingham: An old McDonald’s in the city center might soon be turned into student flats. The plans have been submitted to the Nottingham City Council for review.
This McDonald’s closed its doors for good in June 2023 after 34 years of serving customers. The franchisee, Jerry Nicholls, mentioned that the lease had expired, and they decided not to renew it since they have other locations in the area.
The proposal suggests that the first and second floors will be converted into student accommodation, while the ground floor will be redesigned. They’re also planning to add a third floor to create more living space.
In total, there will be 16 bedrooms, split into cluster flats. The layout includes two three-bedroom flats on the first floor, a three-bedroom and a two-bedroom flat on the second, and a five-bedroom flat on the top. Each room will have its own en-suite, and there will be a kitchen for each flat.
They’re even considering adding 16 bike parking spots if the plans get approved. The application also mentions some external changes, like a new shopfront and repairs to the building’s exterior.
A student from Nottingham, who prefers to stay anonymous, is excited about the plans. She feels it’s great news for students looking for housing in the city.
She said, “I commute into Nottingham, but I have friends who want to come here. With so many students coming to the city, there’s definitely a need for more housing.”
On the flip side, a worker from a nearby shop expressed concerns. She believes that the rise in student housing is hurting local businesses and the high street.
