McDonald’s will be closing its Republic Street restaurant on Sunday, the company said today.

The decision is a direct result of a dispute with the landlords and a subsequent court ruling handed down in February that ordered the company to vacate the premises within 90 days.

McDonald’s said every effort had been made to try to find an amicable solution to the dispute but as this was not possible, it was left with no alternative but to close the restaurant.

The company said that having a restaurant in Valletta was a number one priority for the organisation. Numerous alternative sites were evaluated and negotiations are ongoing.

The company said it hoped to be in a position to open a new restaurant in Valletta in the near future and pointed out that no jobs would be lost as a result of the closure. All employees have been offered positions in other McDonald’s restaurants across Malta. 

The company also announced it recently concluded a deal to develop the brand’s new flagship restaurant in a key location in central Sliema, currently occupied by the De Tigne Complex. This new restaurant will be home to the largest McDonald’s and McCafe on the island  and is set to be inaugurated by the end of this year.