The new eatery, which is set to open on October 28, combines new customer-facing technology, the McDelivery service and mobile app order and payment facilities. Trees have also been planted extensively at the new site, LED lighting has been installed and recycling systems have been upgraded. Digital innovation also extends to new drive-through menu boards and an energy-efficient kitchen.

With Covid-19 restrictions in mind, the 110-seater restaurant will offer customers dining via table service with an additional 50 seats available outside. Mobile ordering through the My McDonald’s app will provide contact-free ordering for dine-in, drive-through and takeaway, allowing customers to browse the menu in their own time and customise their order.

Speaking about the investment, franchisee John McCollum said that the investment at Derriaghy would provide significant direct and indirect employment for the area as well giving a boost to manufacturing and construction:

‘Since we started to reopen our restaurants our priority has been to ensure that our people and customers are kept safe. We have changed our operations and together with our suppliers, restaurant teams and delivery partners we have been able to continue serving the communities in which we operate,’ he added.

‘Throughout my time as a franchisee I have been committed to serving and supporting the local communities in which we serve and I am really looking forward to welcoming people from the local area and beyond to the new restaurant to enjoy a treat.’

With ample on-site car parking, the new restaurant is located at the McKinstry Road roundabout between Lisburn and Belfast and brings McDonald’s portfolio in Northern Ireland to 32 restaurants.

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Irvine (27), who owns the award-winning Copeland Distillery in Donaghadee, is said to have made and sold alcohol without a licence at his premises and also at Harbour & Company restaurant in the town on October 18 last year. He is also accused of exposing the owner of Harbour & Company to a risk of prosecution by claiming that he would operate on his premises in line with the law.

The Copeland Distillery was originally established in 2016 and since then, it has grown its production capacity and product range to include a range of Irish gin, single malt and pot still whiskey for local consumers and global export.

Last year, the company spent £600,000 on a new distillery and visitor centre experience at Manor Street in Donaghadee.

When the coronavirus pandemic began in March, the distillery temporarily switched to the manufacture of alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

Irvine, who lives at Millmount Village Avenue in Dundonald, will appear at court again on September 29.

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Speaking after taking up his new role, Danny Coyles said that it was an honour to be chair of such a widely respected body ‘which represents the very best of the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland’.

‘This is an exciting but also challenging time for our industry, as we look to play our part in spreading the economic benefits of tourism across the province,’ he went on. ‘Put simply, we have huge economic potential, but we need to see less consultation and more action by government if we are to sustain and grow our industry and the Northern Ireland economy.”

Danny also paid tribute to outgoing chair, Mark Stewart, who, he said, had worked tirelessly for members throughout his tenure. 

New vice-chair, Tony O’Neill, said that he was looking forward to building on the work already done to support NI’s great pubs and restaurants:

‘As many in the industry will already know, I have a particular interest in the training and development of staff and I hope that through this role, I can contribute to making our industry a career of choice,; he added.

Chief executive, Colin Neill, welcomed both men to their new roles:

‘Both are highly respected leaders in the sector and have an in-depth understanding of the day-to-day challenges faced by the industry and a clear ambition to find solutions to the barriers to growth,’ he added.

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