RESIDENTS who want a McDonald’s in their picturesque town have been left fuming after having their requests denied.
Locals living in Lewes, East Sussex, have an abundance of fascinating history, culture, scenery and a fan-owned football team.
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But some disgruntled residents in the beautiful town are fuming that they can’t get their hands on any fast food.
Well-known as one of the priciest places to live in Sussex, they claim the village doesn’t want a Maccies in a bid to keep up appearances.
One frustrated local exclusively told The Sun: “I know they try to keep them out.
“There’s nowhere if you want a burger. The nearest McDonald’s is miles away.”
Louise Oakman, 27, agreed with these claims, saying: “They only want the posh shops here.”
The local nursery school manager, who was born and raised in Lewes, added: “The town is lovely but it’s really expensive to live here.
“It’s expensive and housing is a real problem.
“And getting a burger. I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t allow mcdonalds in town or KFC.”
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Frustrated residents are annoyed that they have to travel to a different town to nab a Big Mac with the nearest McDonald’s seven miles away in Brighton.
Louise added: “It’s easier to go out of Lewes if you want a burger or any kind of services.
“I take my children to free things in Burgess Hill that I would have to pay for in Lewes.”
The mum continued: “House prices have taken a hit in the cost of living crisis but it will still set you back a million pounds for a reasonably sized family home in Lewes.
“Public transport is an issue as well – there are no buses. I drive and parking is so expensive.”
Lewes with its views of the South Downs is within commuting distance of London with a direct train link to Victoria.
But teacher Beth Robinson, 30, said she feared for her son and his chances of being able to find somewhere affordable to live in Lewes when he grows up.
Beth said: “I’m born and bred in Lewes and I can’t really afford to live here any more.
“I’m worried my son will never be able to afford to live here.
“A lot of the house price problem is because of people moving down from London, the commuters.”
And despite the success of local brewer Harvey’s, Lewes is a short on nightlife, says Beth.
“Unless you like going to the pub, there isn’t much to do at night.
“It is a beautiful place to live but so expensive,” she added.
The town also boasts a progressive, fan owned, football team which pays male and female players the same wage.
‘TOO EXPENSIVE’
Coffee shop owner Mark Robson is another who has noticed big changes over the last ten years in Lewes.
The decline of the High Street, Covid and the cost of living crisis have hit Lewes as hard as anywhere.
“We are now doing half the business we were doing ten years ago,” Mark said.
His coffee shop has been catering to the people of Lewes for 26 years
Lewes changed when banks and other offices closed or moved to working from home, Mark said.
“We are the oldest coffee shop in the town. It is a lovely place to be but there are less people around now.”
He continued: “We used to do a lot of outside catering, but that all stopped during Covid and didn’t come back because people are working from home more.
“The banks went and the local, independent shops – which brought people down from London – closed when the chains moved in.”
Boarded up shopfronts are no longer an unusual sight, even if they are next door to antique book shops or one of the many estate agents.
However, the town is popular with American tourists with an interest in the origins of their nation.
The Rights of Man pub in Lewes is named after one of Thomas Paine’s most famous works.
He lived and worked in the town before leaving for the New World where he become a founding father of the United States.
By November, the town is overcome with bonfire fever with Lewes well known for its wild Guy Fawkes celebrations.
McDonald’s have been contacted by The Sun for comment.
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