Drivers were queueing on Wetherby Road this afternoon as Harrogate’s new Leon drive-thru opened.
Although the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant officially opens tomorrow, today it offered free food for customers who provided feedback.
The offer left drivers queuing to get into the restaurant car park at around 1pm today, particularly those turning right when coming from Harrogate.
People were also queuing outside the door of the Leon.
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Some motorists were turned away as the queue for the drive-thru reached the entrance of the car park and began to effect traffic on the already busy Wetherby Road.
Eventually, staff placed a cone at the entrance to deter drivers from blocking the road.
The Stray Ferret captured a clip of the scene outside the Leon this afternoon, which you can watch below.
The restaurant will officially open to the public tomorrow, which will end a saga stretching back several years.
Originally, a Starbucks coffee drive-thru was planned for the site but it was refused by Harrogate Borough Council only for the decision to be overturned by a government inspector.
Concerns remain from residents who live near the site on how the drive-thru will affect traffic on the busy Wetherby Road.
Leon was bought by Blackburn billionaires the Issa brothers in 2021.
Glenn Edwards, Leon’s managing director said:
“Since opening our first drive-thru restaurant last year, we have been eager to grow this style of restaurant in order to bring Leon to more guests and allow them to experience Leon while on the go – something that aligns with our mission to bring naturally fast food that tastes good, does you good and is kind to the planet.
“Our opening in Harrogate is a massive achievement across all fronts.”
