BUSINESSES in Hexham have admitted they have mixed feeling about McDonald’s coming to the town after plans were approved to build a chain of the fast food restaurant.

Owner of the Small World Café, Angela Wilson, said she thinks it is a good thing and that it will bring more people into the local area.

“I don’t think it’s going to affect my business at all,” she said.

Angela added that she gets asked by young people if there are any jobs going at the café, in the Market Place, all the time.

And she said the creation of many jobs at McDonald’s will be a good thing for them.

Plans for McDonalds to open a branch in Hexham have however had mixed responses from other local businesses.

Sekou Lenaud from Rising Cafe on Beaumont Street in the town believed that although McDonalds won't directly rival the cafe, it isn't great news that they're moving into Hexham.

"To be honest I don't think it'll be good for local businesses," said Sekou.

"I know personally from the Rising Cafe point of view it wont affect us much but I think on the whole in Hexham I don't think it'll be good.

"It'll provide employment for a few people but that's about it.

Asked why he believes McDonalds moving to Hexham isn't a good idea, Sekou admitted that the town should support its local businesses.

"We're supposed to be a town that supports local people and people that are trying to get their businesses up and running.

"To bring something like McDonalds, it just kills all of that, especially people that try to get their businesses started.

"I think it (McDonalds) is different to our customer base. It will be very different.

"With us with what we provide, I don't think its going to affect us that much and what we produce as well.

"A lot of stuff we make in our cafe, things like burgers, we make it ourselves."