QUESTIONS have today been raised about the viability of two fast food restaurants right next to each other in Port Glasgow.

Council leader Stephen McCabe has reservations about McDonald’s opening up opposite the new Burger King drive-through in the town centre.

The Port councillor commented on social media that ‘both won’t survive’ but has since said that was an ‘off the cuff remark’ and that he welcomes the potential jobs boost for the town.

It comes after plans for a McDonald’s were this week given the green light by council officials.

The new drive-through restaurant is set to create a minimum of 65 full and part-time jobs, according to developers.

Councillor McCabe said: “I have no strong opinions on the planning application, which has obviously been determined by officers under delegated powers, so there can’t have been too many objections.

“I know some people are not keen on fast food restaurants and to have two burger restaurants immediately adjacent to each other will cause them concern.

“They do, however, bring jobs and provide opportunities for part-time employment for young people and others.

“Market forces will dictate the future of both restaurants but based on the history of fast food restaurants in Inverclyde there may not be enough demand to sustain two long-term at this location.”

Tesco gained planning permission for the McDonald’s at the edge of their Port store’s car park — opposite the filling station and next to the new A8-Princes Street spur road.

The development would be just yards from the BK drive-through restaurant, pictured, which only opened in November last year and replaced the long-standing Greenock outlet on West Blackhall Street.

The new Port McDonald’s will open in addition to the current restaurant just off Cartsburn Roundabout in Greenock.