SPECULATION that more fast food chains could be coming to Thornbury has arisen for the second time this year.

Rumours had circulated in the town back in January after an application for outline planning permission to alter the premises of 7 High Street into a café restaurant was submitted by owners Litfield Land Ltd.

Among those believed to have been moving to the site, which was formerly occupied by dry cleaners Hard Pressed for Time, were McDonald’s, Café Nero, Subway and Pizza Express.

But the rumours were debunked after the Gazette was informed by spokesmen from each of the chains that they had no current plans to move to the town.

Further speculation arose this week after an advert recruiting staff for McDonald’s in Thornbury was shared on social media, but this turned out to be for a town of the same name near Bradford.

The prospect of the chain coming to Thornbury was greeted with very mixed reactions, with some welcoming the addition to the High Street, while others slammed the idea of further oversaturation of food and drink outlets, which has recently included Domino’s Pizza, Costa Coffee and soon to be included Prezzo.

A spokesman from Litfield Land told the Gazette that while the planning permission has been granted, the site has not yet been marketed, but that it would be expected to do so in the next six months.

The plans, which have been granted approval by South Gloucestershire Council, outline a new café or restaurant and include the erection of a single storey rear extension to form a kitchen area and toilet facilities, as well as the installation and extraction system and creation of a new shop front.