McDonald’s has asked to stay open until midnight when it reopens in Brentwood town centre.

The chain is set to return to its former restaurant in the town which has sat empty since it closed back in 2016.

The fast food giant’s plan comes a year after proposals for an Irish bar to open at the site until 2am were passed by Brentwood Borough Council.

London City Pub Group Ltd was given permission to change the use of the property to a public house and a rear building at first-floor and second-floor levels to form residential accommodation.

Despite being given permission for the change of use, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported in May that the company has not made the decision to invest in a new pub.

Brentwood Borough Council says no additional planning requirement is required by McDonald’s to reopen the restaurant that had been a mainstay of the town since it opened in 1991.

The plans also include changes to the rear for staff and delivery drivers to pick up orders without having to go through the main entrance.

A statement as part of an earlier planning application said: “The High Street is of a mixed character with buildings of varied ages. The site has been vacant and boarded up since 2016 which detracts from the character and appearance of the conservation area."

An application has now been lodged with Brentwood Council for a new premises licence serving late night refreshment between Monday to Sunday 11pm and midnight Monday to Sunday.

If the licence is approved McDonald’s will be able to open between 5am and midnight.