A fast food restaurant in Carlisle is closed for a transformation that will bring it into the digital age.

McDonalds on Scotch Street is shut temporarily and will reopen on Thursday, December 15.

Chris Nicholls, who operates the two McDonalds outlets in Carlisle, said: "Digital innovation is at the heart of the transformation.

"The big changes focus on providing customers with more choice as to how they order and pay, adapting how the food is prepared and served and offering new technological features to create an environment that is even more welcoming and enjoyable.

"The restaurant will feature new self-service kiosks, digital menu boards and tablet computers for children, and will also include McDonald’s signature style with a bright, modern interior and exterior design, comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi."

The outlet in Scotch Street though is the first town centre restaurant in Cumbria to change.

The ramp currently in the restaurant is set to go but the restaurant will remain accessible for disabled people.

There will also be extra space for between 30 and 40 customers.

The investment demonstrates the ongoing commitment from all McDonald’s franchisees’ to high streets across the UK as part of an extensive restaurant evolution programme.

Mr Nicholls, who operates six other McDonald's outlets across Cumbria, said: "We’re thrilled with the transformation that’s taking place because we’re committed to offering our customers’ more choice and faster service.

"Technology has a huge role to play in all walks of life, including our customers’ eating out experience, so the new tech we’re introducing recognises the way people live their lives today."

The firm says the future could see even more exciting features introduced if current trials prove successful.

This includes the option to customise classic burgers and ordering and paying by smartphone.

Mr Nicholls said that the previous system, where people placed orders at a counter before staff collected the food for them, could be extremely difficult for people who were in a restaurant with their children.

He also pointed out that the electronic kiosks allowed families to let the children take part in the ordering process and table service would mean they could then be seated while their food was prepared rather than have to stand around waiting.

Mr Nicholls runs eight outlets throughout Cumbria through his company HBN Restaurants, which is based in Moorhouse, near Carlisle.

Four of these restaurants - in Penrith, Workington, Whitehaven and one of the two in Barrow - have been through the changes in operation.

The Scotch Street branch has been trading since 1989 and was refurbished in 2007.

The firm employs 550 staff across the county but this figure could rise to about 700 "across the business" by 2018.