A REPORT has revealed fast-food giant McDonald’s contributes £19.8m a year to the Newport economy.

The independent economic report, Serving the UK: McDonald’s at 40 Report’ commissioned by McDonald’s to mark its 40th anniversary in the UK, says the business and its suppliers make a combined annual contribution of £19.8 million to the city’s economy.

In July, 1987, McDonald’s opened its first Newport restaurant on the High Street; the area now has seven restaurants, employing 700 people.

The report finds that overall the business and its supply chain is estimated to be worth £2.5 billion annually to the UK economy.

Katy Beale, 28, is a restaurant manager in Cwmbran.

She said: “I first joined McDonald’s when I was 16 and studying for my A-Levels.

“I’ve always had aspirations to work in the catering industry so when I graduated in hospitality management from university, I went full-time because I knew that if you’re willing to work hard, you can achieve a huge amount.