LOCAL MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown visited the Cirencester branch of McDonald’s yesterday to learn more about its contribution to the local economy.

Mr Clifton-Brown met with franchise owner Paul Booth, who has worked for McDonald’s for 30 years, to discuss the training programs and apprenticeships which the restaurant offers to its 700 employees across Cirencester, Swindon and Stroud.

He said: “I was very pleased to visit the McDonald’s restaurant in Cirencester, where I was able to participate in cooking a ‘Big Mac’, and to meet local franchisee Paul Booth and his staff, who are all efficient and hard working.

“I was also able to learn about the McDonald’s apprenticeship scheme. This adds to the record number of apprenticeships here in the Cotswolds and provides a real alternative to a university education.”

Paul Booth added: “My staff and I were pleased to have the opportunity to meet our local MP. As a franchised restaurant, we are essentially a local business, and I was proud to show Mr Clifton-Brown just how hard we work to ensure our customers get the best possible service every day.

“The meeting was a great opportunity to highlight the investment we make in our staff, showcase our high quality kitchen and restaurant operations, and discuss the many changes we have introduced to our menu in recent years.”