A POPULAR branch of McDonald’s in Poole was closed and pest control and environmental health officers were called in.

The restaurant, located at the Wessex Gate Retail Park in Broadstone Way off the A350 Holes Bay Road, reopened on Monday, December 13, following a temporary closure last week.

A McDonald’s spokesperson said on Monday: “We take cleanliness and hygiene very seriously and took the decision to temporarily close our Wessex Gate restaurant for a short period last week whilst we worked with our pest control partners and local environmental health officers.”

Read more: Five Omicron cases identified in Dorset

The spokesperson added: “The restaurant reopened earlier this afternoon and we’d like to thank our customers for their patience.”

Multiple signs on the windows and doors of the eatery could be seen on Monday informing would-be customers of the closure.

The signs read: “We are currently closed. We apologise for any inconvenience.”

Meanwhile, the car park outside the restaurant was coned-off on Monday but staff could be seen inside the branch.

Read more: Man caused £75k worth of damage to house by crashing girlfriend's car after night of boozing

The signs were also advising people where the nearest open branch of McDonald’s could be found.

BCP Council confirmed the restaurant closure and said it is continuing to liaise with the fast-food giant.

Speaking on Monday, a BCP Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the business closure and are continuing to liaise with the company to ensure that food safety standards are being met.”

McDonald’s has a number of branches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and east Dorset.

As well as the restaurant at Wessex Gate Retail Park, the chain has a further two branches in Poole with more eateries in Bournemouth town centre, Ferndown, Boscombe and Christchurch.

Another branch of McDonald’s is due to open in Christchurch at the retail park off Barrack Road.

It will open at the site of the former Pizza Hut restaurant which closed its doors at the end of November.

A McDonald's spokesperson last month said the new restaurant would create "at least" 65 jobs for local people.

The opening date is not yet known.