Could Greggs be joining McDonald’s by opening in Highbridge?

The McDonald’s outlet was approved on Thursday, May 25 as part of a wider application for the “erection of one drive-thru coffeeshop and one drive-thru restaurant with associated car parking and landscaping”.

The fast-food chain's drive-thru and restaurant is expected to create around 120 jobs when it opens at Oak Tree Business Park on the A38 Bristol Road. 

An opening date is yet to be confirmed, but McDonald’s says it is “pleased to be part of these exciting plans” at the business park.

When the plans were submitted to the former Sedgemoor District Council by commercial property company Loc8 and Kew Planning, drawings showed a Greggs drive-thru next door to McDonald’s.

Plans submitted to the district council last year showed a proposed Greggs drive-thru and bakery. (Image: Loc8, Kew Planning)

Despite the proposals being granted planning permission, the bakery chain has not announced plans to open in the town.

A Greggs spokesperson said: “Greggs is always looking into new shop locations.

“While we are unable to confirm anything at the moment, we will be sure to share any information in due course.”

Currently, the nearest Greggs stores to Highbridge customers are in Burnham-on-Sea's High Street and at the Euro Garages Group's service station next to the Dunball roundabout.

In total, there are more than 2,000 Greggs stores across the UK, serving a range of savouries and bakes, sandwiches, salads and sweet treats.

Burnham Without Parish Council supported the application for the two drive-thrus, saying the scheme is “unlikely to have any detrimental impact on the area”.

One Highbridge resident also expressed support for the scheme but said the outlets' car parks should have more than one electric vehicle charger each, as was proposed.