DUNFERMLINE’S new McDonald’s has been hailed as a “hangout” for teenagers who are no longer walking the streets. 

It had proved controversial but the franchise owner has called the venture “incredibly exciting”.

There was considerable opposition to the idea of building the two-storey burger joint on the Tesco Extra car park in Duloch, however, there’s been a brisk trade since it opened last week. 

Staff have called teenagers who use the restaurant a “credit” to the area.

Posting on the Duloch Billboard Facebook page, the premises also thanked residents for all the “support so far”.

They wrote: “A couple of weeks open and we just want to thank everyone for all the support so far that we’ve received. 

“It’s been great meeting many locals, who are now visiting on a regular basis. 

“We seem to be the hangout now for teenagers at night time, where they like to get together, sit somewhere warm, log into the free wifi and grab a snack. 

“They’ve all been so friendly, polite, and are a credit to the local area. 

“Parents/carers should all be really proud of them. 

“It's also great they’ve somewhere now to meet up rather than walking the streets or in the nearby woods.”

It’s the third McDonald’s restaurant in Dunfermline for franchisee Adam Buchanan-Smith, who said: “The new restaurant in Turnstone Road is incredibly exciting for us and we are delighted to be expanding our operation in the area. 

“We look forward to discovering more brilliant local talent in Fife to join our team and welcoming our new and existing local customers to the restaurant.”

The outlet on Turnstone Road, which also has a drive-thru and outdoor play area, opened on February 23 and is creating 120 full- and part-time jobs for local people. 

Since acquiring his first restaurant in 1999, Mr Buchanan-Smith now owns and operates three in Dunfermline – the other two are at Asda Halbeath and Fife Leisure Park – and one in South Queensferry.

There had been 176 objections to the plans for a new McDonald’s next to Tesco’s supermarket but councillors on Fife Council’s central and west planning committee voted 11-3 in favour of the proposals in September 2020.