The upcoming McDonald’s on Marrickville Rd has sparked community backlash, with the building defaced in bright red graffiti alongside graphic images.
The $2.29 million restaurant, approved by Inner West Council on August 29, is currently under fit-out and expected to open in the coming months.
Nearby business owner Kostas Giannakaros, who runs Gyradiko Marrickville, expressed concern over the fast-food giant’s impact on local businesses.
“It’s the wrong call, for the businesses around here, it’s going to be disastrous,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
Giannakaros added that while all businesses are welcome, a McDonald’s would make the area too “commercial” and clash with Marrickville’s reputation for international cuisine.
“Marrickville is a place where people come to see restaurants from all over the world, including Vietnamese and Greek venues, so I don’t think having a McDonald’s would be a healthy option,” he said.
NSW Police noted that graffiti vandalism is a crime and warned that offenders, including minors, could face court for malicious damage.
Other locals had mixed reactions, with some welcoming the convenience and affordability, while others worried about traffic, parking, and the changing character of the inner west.
Source: Daily Telegraph.