The first McDonald's restaurant in north Norfolk could be built in Cromer.

North Norfolk News: Cromer could be getting its first McDonald's. Picture Chris BiggsCromer could be getting its first McDonald's. Picture Chris Biggs (Image: Archant)

Plans have been submitted by Central England Co-op to erect it on the eastern part of the wider Co-operative Foodstore site, in Middlebrook Way, next to Holt Road.

The new restaurant with associated drive-through lane would be built with two customer order displays and external play area.

And it will be about 650m from the town centre.

READ MORE: 'Come on Cromer we need to move with the times' - Reaction to news that town could get first McDonald's

Businesses in the town said they were confident they could cope with the competition McDonald's might bring.

Sam Grout, Chairman of Cromer Chamber of Trade, said: "Cromer has long been a town with a wide variance of locally owned, independent businesses and anything that seeks to threaten either the character of the town or the livelihoods of those who trade here is not to be encouraged.

"However, having enjoyed so much positive media coverage shining the spotlight on our town recently I think we'd be naïve not to expect to attract the attention of larger businesses seeking to invest and create jobs in the area.

"The town's traders have weathered threats from larger corporations before and I have no doubt will continue to do so should plans go ahead."

North Norfolk News: McDonald's could be coming to Cromer. Pictures: Planning documentsMcDonald's could be coming to Cromer. Pictures: Planning documents (Image: Archant)

Cromer Mayor Richard Leeds said: "It's out of town so I don't think it will have that much impact on town centre businesses and restaurants. More people will drive to it rather than walk."

Becca Masters, who works at Huckleberries coffee house in Church Street, said: "As McDonald's is a fast food place, I don't think it would affect us much."

Martin Rodwell, who runs Breakers café in Garden Street, Cromer, said: "I cannot see it impacting on us here. Potentially, it could bring more people into the town, which is good. I don't see it as a threat.

"We do breakfast muffins here, as they do, but ours are far superior."

The new McDonald's restaurant will have 61 car parking spaces, including four disabled bays, and 122 cycle spaces.

The Co-op car park will be reduced from 179 spaces to 49.

READ MORE: Mixed views from traders and townsfolk on Cromer McDonald's proposal

The plans will be discussed at Cromer Town Council's planning meeting on Thursday, June 20.

*This article earlier stated the new restaurant would be north Norfolk's first McDonald's. It would, however, be the second, after the one in Hoveton.