McDonald's 5am plan

Fast food giant McDonald's has unveiled plans to open two of its Walsall branches until 5am on Fridays and Saturdays, sparking fears they could attract yobs.

The firm has also applied to the council to open its outlets on Reedswood Retail Park and Daw End Lane, Rushall, until 1am from Sunday to Thursday.

It currently opens from 6.30am to 11pm every day. If approved the changes mean the restaurant could be serving burgers, shakes and fries for 22-and-a-half hours on Fridays and Saturdays.The move has sparked some concerns with ward Councillor Tim Oliver raising fears about the plans to change the opening hours of the Reedswood branch.

He said although McDonald's was around half a mile from the nearest homes there were other shops and pubs in the area and there had been problems with anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Oliver said: "I am worried it could become a magnet for yobs looking for somewhere to congregate."

If no-one objects McDonald's will press ahead with the changes. If people complain the applications will go before Walsall Council's licensing committee.

McDonald's spokeswoman Hayley Ralphs said the firm was moving with today's changing lifestyles.