Co Wexford restauranteur distressed over McDonald’s ‘stomping on our livelihood’

Following the recent announcement of McDonald's intention to submit a planning application on the outskirts of New Ross town, an anonymous open letter addressed to Councillor Michael Sheehan and Wexford County Council from someone claiming to be a restauranteur said they, and other restauranteurs "strongly object to McDonald's establishing themselves in New Ross."

The anonymous letter stated: "We are mainly small family run businesses giving employment to as many people as we can and we are already struggling to survive with rising costs from food suppliers and running costs and trying to absorb these costs ourselves without passing price rises to our loyal customers."

The letter went on to say that it was "unfair" to be expected to compete with a global giant "infiltrating our small town."

"The result for all our businesses will be catastrophic, we simply cannot compete with McDonald's offers on food and facilities," they added.

Deeming the New Ross hospitality sector to already be "highly competitive", it was also a concern that McDonald's won't create new jobs, but rather "replace jobs" and also reduce footfall in the town with it's location being primed for the ring roads.

"We greatly appreciate the efforts in recent years to make New Ross more attractive to visitors... Both owners and staff are extremely worried, distressed and upset at the prospect of this global giant stomping on our livelihoods," they concluded the letter and added that a petition will be circulated in due course.

The New Ross Standard spoke with the person who circulated the letter online (on behalf of the restauranteur), and due to "a lot of drama it caused among other chippers" they were asked to remove it.

Also speaking to a source from a New Ross takeaway, they confirmed that their business doesn't agree with McDonald's coming to town, but will not issue their statement publicly only to be tarred as "the black sheep of the town."

Takeaways across town have been inundated with questions since the letter has been circulated, according to Ray Forte of Raymondo's New Ross.

"I don't think it's fair for traders in New Ross to try and prevent the town from growing," said Mr Forte.

"They're afraid of losing business, but I think quite the opposite will happen, because you have to think about things long term... eventually bigger things can come, the whole town can grow instead of just being stuck in the 1980s," he added.

M & J's also publicly expressed their well-wishes regarding the potential for the town to expand: "We do not agree or support the proposal of objection against McDonald's coming to New Ross. Best of luck from all in M&J Restaurant."

A petition against the fast-food giant coming to New Ross has not yet been circulated.