Big Changes Coming to Old Pizza Hut Site
The empty Pizza Hut at Shaw Ridge Leisure Park is getting a major makeover. McDonald’s just got approval to turn it into a drive-thru and takeaway spot!
Bye-Bye Pizza Hut Look 👋
Since Pizza Hut suddenly closed in January 2025, the building’s been vacant. Now McDonald’s will:
- Demolish part of the building
- Completely gut the inside (no walls left!)
- Change the roof design (removing the famous Pizza Hut “hut” shape)
- Make the building shorter overall
Takeaway Only? 🚗
The plans show zero seating areas and no kitchen separation. Since it’s officially labeled a “takeaway,” it’ll likely be:
- Drive-thru service
- Walk-in takeaway
- Delivery driver pick-ups
Parking Shrinkage 🚘
Get ready for parking changes:
- 16 fewer parking spots
- Total spaces dropping from 45 to 29
- A new drive-thru lane added
Traffic Trouble Fears 🚦
Nearby businesses and residents are worried:
- Restaurant manager Luke Jacobs fears drive-thru queues could block access to the leisure park
- Over 40 locals objected – most worried about traffic jams spreading to already-busy roads
- Some think there are too many takeaways (especially since another McDonald’s exists across the street!)
- Other concerns: noise, litter, and cooking smells
But Not Everyone Hates It 👍
A couple supporters spoke up:
- They’re happy the vacant building will be used again
- One person wanted to keep the “hut” roof design
Planners responded that the hut design wasn’t protected and was too linked to Pizza Hut’s brand anyway.
Image Credit: www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
