Nando’s Chickenland Ltd have submitted a planning application for a replacement shopfront, creation of an external dining area and installation of signage at the site of the existing Poundland store in Westow Street.
The external dining area will be relatively small, with just 6 tables. Nando’s argue that it will be in keeping with the street scene, and have undertaken to clean it regularly, including outside trading hours.
The decision on the application will be based on planning grounds, such as impact on traffic, likely noise levels, and design of the scheme. Similar factors led to the failure of McDonalds’ application on a nearby site in 2019.
Nando’s plan a restaurant, rather than a takeaway, which ought to mean less impact on traffic. However, the proportion of takeaway business will be critical. The area outside Poundland is already congested and adding motorcycle delivery riders to the mix will create chaos. Accordingly, the CPCA plans to support the application, but with conditions restricting Nando’s takeaway business.