Thanet: Opinions divided over new Broadstairs Tim Hortons amid traffic fears

Plans for a new Tim Hortons in Broadstairs have divided the opinions of locals amid traffic concerns. The new restaurant, which will include a drive-thru, will be coming to Westwood Cross after the application was approved by Thanet District Council at the start of the year.

It will open between 6am and 11pm seven days a week, and is expected to create around 30 full-time jobs and 40 part-time jobs. The chain is well known for its iconic doughnuts and fresh coffee, and even serves 15 per cent of the population back in its native Canada.

But the news of the opening has been met with a mixed reaction from locals. In a Facebook post on a local community group, Les Brown said: “I see the new Tim Hortons is coming on at Tesco roundabout. Another drive through burger place. Just what we need, is it?”

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Some people can’t wait to have the chain in the town, as Beverley Cojbasic said: “Tim Hortons do the most amazing French Vanilla Latte. I have never tasted any thing as good since I came back from Canada. They do amazing soup and chilli in a bowl etc. It has amazing food and so many gorgeous doughnuts etc. Try it first before you make judgements. It’s really a great addition.”

“Tim Hortons in Canada used to be amazing. Every street corner had one, it’s not just burgers,” Sherry Pearce added. However, there are many people who have expressed their concerns over the new site for a variety of reasons.

David Wares said: “We don’t need these places and it will cause more traffic on an already busy road.” Kirsty Whiddett added: “So obesity has nothing to do with all these fast food places. That’s going to cause a traffic nightmare on an already busy road!”



Plans show location of Tim Hortons
Plans show location of Tim Hortons

Their concerns are also shared by local Green Party councillor Mike Garner, who explained why he is against the location of the site. Speaking to KentLive, Mike, 59, said: “This is on Westwood Cross in between a large Sainsbury’s and a large Tesco.

“There’s a double-roundabout and it’s a through-way between the shops. There’s a McDonald’s that’s been there a number of years as well as a recently-opened drive-through Starbucks.

“There’s three drive-through takeaways right next to each other. There’s a lot of traffic going through there and it’s a very busy area. This is going to add to the congestion in that area.”

When asked about his reaction when he discovered the application had been approved, Mike explained he wasn’t surprised. “I wasn’t totally shocked unfortunately,” he said. “I was disappointed but not overly surprised.

“There are a number of empty units up there at Westwood Cross, they could have done something up there. I’m not against Tim Hortons at all because people want to go out to eat, but it could have been an empty unit used.

“I know it brings jobs to the area but it could have been in one of the empty units. It’s a done deal now, I just hope that they live up to their promise on delivering all the jobs they say they will and also delivering their landscaping scheme.” Tim Hortons declined to comment when contacted by KentLive.

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Article Source: Kent Live