FIVE national chains could open on the site of a former go-karting centre, just off East Lothian’s busiest road.

Consent for a totem pole-style sign at the former Raceland karting centre, near Gladsmuir, has been approved by East Lothian Council’s planning department.

Drawings included within the planning application feature the logos of McDonald’s, Greggs, Subway, Starbucks and KFC.

The go-kart centre, to the north of the A1, closed its doors in January 2018.

Just over 12 months later, East Lothian Council’s planning committee gave planning permission to transform the site into a roadside service station.

During a presentation, it was claimed that more than 200 jobs could be created.

Each of the five businesses were approached for a comment on the latest plans.

A spokeswoman for KFC confirmed they were looking into setting up a restaurant in East Lothian, with hopes to open next year.

She said: “Our restaurants may be closed for now, but we’re not stopping making plans for 2021!

“We’ll be winging our way to East Lothian early next year – watch this space.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Greggs said: “At the moment, this is not something Greggs will be able to comment on so we are politely declining this opportunity.”

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said the names of the businesses featured in the image could change.

She added: “We are concerned with assessing permission for the advertising board, not its content.

“So absolute confirmation of what businesses are going on site will need to come from the applicant.”

Currently, East Lothian is home to one McDonald’s restaurant in Dunbar, with further plans being weighed up for another fast food restaurant in the car park at Musselburgh’s Tesco store.

Greggs has branches in Musselburgh, Tranent, Haddington, Prestonpans and North Berwick, while Subway can be found in Musselburgh and Haddington.

A Starbucks has been mooted for the outskirts of Haddington, while the former Raceland site would welcome East Lothian’s first KFC.