MCDONALD’S reopened its Andover outlets for Drive Thru orders this week – but not everyone was loving it.

On-lookers spoke of ‘chaotic’ and ‘hectic’ scenes during the first hour after reopening, while residents later took to social media to report lengthy queues and congestion.

The situation was, however, much calmer at times. By lunchtime on Tuesday, when our reporter visited both Andover outlets, queues were relatively small with customers reporting wait times of five to ten minutes.

McDonald’s had warned that ‘things may take a little longer’ as restaurant teams adjust to new procedures, with high demand anticipated.

The fast food giant announced last week that all of its Drive Thrus across the UK would be opening across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. And the two Andover sites, in Joule Road and New Street, were amongst the 160 to open on Tuesday.

One onlooker, who works at a nearby Joule Road business, admitted the traffic hadn’t been as bad as he expected, but that the first hour or so had been “chaos”.

“I don’t think they’ve thought too hard about how they’re going to control the traffic,” he told the Advertiser. “There must have been about three near misses within the first hour. But people are so desperate for a McDonald’s. I’m sure there’s more important things in life than a McDonald’s.”

Another member of staff at a nearby retailer said he and other colleagues had been putting up signage to try and help drivers navigate the one-way system that had been set up outside the Joule Road store.

“This is the calmest it’s been,” he said just after 1pm, “It’s been very hectic. But it’s like you expect, isn’t it?”

One couple said they were “very happy” the fast food chain was reopening outlets, having travelled from over the Wiltshire border – but more out of necessity than anything, having already tried the Salisbury and Amesbury outlets.

“This was the third one we’ve been to, but the others are too busy,” said the driver.

McDonald’s staff said that despite the busy opening hour, the precautions put in place seemed to be working well.

As well as cordoning off sections of the Joule Road car park, McDonald’s had introduced measures including perspex screens at windows, a limited menu and smaller teams with social distancing in restaurant kitchens.

Customers were also encouraged to use the McDonald’s App to order and pay in advance.