Farmers 'force' McDonald's out

McDonald's hopes to redeploy all 27 staff in Plymouth

A McDonald's restaurant in a Devon town is closing because it cannot compete with local traders, say campaigners.

The company said "trading patterns" in Tavistock had changed over recent years and the site was no longer suitable.

In a statement, McDonald's said it would try to move 27 staff employed at the restaurant to branches in Plymouth.

The restaurant, which opened in 1999, will close on Saturday while Tavistock farmers' market thrives with a prestigious food award.

'Quality food'

The market was voted the best in the region by Country Life magazine and won the title Best Food Town in the South West this year.

John Taylor, Tavistock Forward and EatWise chairman, said: "It just goes to show that the food is so good here we have seen them off.

"Because of the quality of our local food, McDonald's has not been able to compete. I think there is definitely a link.

"We have made every effort to make Tavistock a haven for local food and McDonald's wasn't local food, so they suffered."

A McDonald's spokesman said: "With 1,250 restaurants across the UK, it's essential that we continue to have the right restaurants in the right places.

"Since the restaurant opened in 1999, the trading patterns of Tavistock high street have changed and as a result we have taken the difficult decision to cease trading at this site."