McDonald’s and Costa revealed in expansion plan for Stop24 Folkestone Services at M20 Junction 11 near Hythe
Expansion plans have been submitted to upgrade a motorway service station including a new McDonald's and Costa. Channel Ports owns the Stop24 Folkestone Services at Junction 11 of the M20 near Hythe and has revealed its intentions in a bid to the district council.
Roadchef has been secured as the anchor tenant for the main building with the company adding to the 30 sites it already runs nationally - including Clacket Lane on the M25 and Maidstone, also on the M20. The application to Folkestone and Hythe District Council confirms Roadchef would add Costa and McDonald's to the site and extend part of the main building to locate them.
Both chains would also be served by two new drive-thru lanes.
Channel Ports - which is owned by Eurotunnel's parent company Getlink[1] - purchased the site in 2022, which is the first and last service station from and to the Port of Dover, respectively, but the site has seen a mix of fortunes in its success. Since opening in 2008, many big brands, including Burger King, Starbucks and HMV, have made Stop24 their home, only to vacate soon after. Deal resident Alasdair Goulden thinks it's only a matter of time before the new proposals follow the same path.
Speaking at the services, the 71-year-old said: "I don't think the plans would make any difference.
"I can't see the point in adding a McDonald's and Costa to this location.
"It's so close to Dover; realistically, who is going to stop here, whether they're leaving or heading to the port?" A planning application is yet to be submitted but documents for a screening opinion for an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed development were put forward to FHDC this week. Agents Astrum Planning, acting on behalf of the applicants and site owners Channel Ports, said Stop24 had suffered from a lack of significant names.
They added: "The services have suffered considerably since its inception.
"Lettings have always been challenging to achieve due to the lack of multiple occupants anchoring the scheme.
"Folkestone Services is very unusual in motorway services areas, depending on several lesser brands and local operators to take the space, leading to a perception as a secondary trading location." The site currently has KFC, Taco Bell, Subway, Don Air, Treats, Chopstix, The Cafe, a Hythe convenience store, Quicksilver, Channel Ports, and Leger Holidays, as well as three vacant units.
When KentOnline spoke to people at the site, one Folkestone resident added that adding bigger names could damage the site for the smaller retailers. He said: "I think the plans will ruin the services for local businesses.
"The big brands already make enough money, and while this may be good for the public and increase footfall, it won't help the local business owners." Also part of the proposed plans for Folkestone Services are: a new delivery space, EV car charging parking spaces, and new motorcycle spots are planned for the revamped car park. Channel Ports is expected to submit a formal planning application once the EIA opinion is accepted.
This follows the submission of controversial plans for a new McDonald's in Dover[2], which has received almost 150 objections.
Channel Ports has been contacted for comment on its plans.
References
- ^ owned by Eurotunnel's parent company Getlink (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ a new McDonald's in Dover (www.kentonline.co.uk)