A PIZZA restaurant could be taking over an old motor shop in Abingdon, as a planning application reveals designs for a Fireaway.
The planning application on the Vale of White Horse District Council website requests to change the use of the premises on 65 St Johns Road, from a retail unit to a restaurant and takeaway.
Designs for the restaurant show plans to transform the Motor Spares shop into a restaurant with a lit up 'Fireaway' sign.
Read also: Caravan filled with waste found dumped in a layby in Watchfield
Fireaway chain restaurant and takeaway opened in 2016 in London and over the past five years it has since opened 75 branches across the UK with takeaways in Basingstoke and Aylesbury.
Now, it is looking to open in Abingdon in a small parade of shops on Oxford Road. The parade currently has a Tesco Express, Magic Wok Chinese takeaway, a convenience store and a laundrette.
The new Fireaway pizza restaurant would have seats inside and it aims to boost trade and provide employment.
In the design and access statement it says: "The proposal intends to also provide much needed economic boost to the existing area by providing a new restaurant within the parade with seating, thereby attracting patrons from the local community and businesses. The vacant unit will be converted to provide new flavours of food for the community with freshly made pizza."
It adds: "The new restaurants would in turn also provide the employment of extra staff from the community."
Read also: Omicron variant in West Oxfordshire
The plans are currently in the consultation period and one resident is already concerned about the impact the restaurant will have on parking in the area.
David Spiers of St Johns Road in Abingdon has responded to the planning application with concerns over parking and litter.
He said: "The proposed restaurant and take-away has no parking facilities and there are double yellow lines in front of it. Parking in St Johns Road is already difficult for residents (some of whom have no rear access or off road parking) and this will make it worse."
He also highlighted a problem with illegal parking near garages on the road.
He added: "A restaurant and takeaway which is open in the evening is only going to make this illegal parking problem worse. There is already a litter problem in this service road and again this will no doubt worsen if there is a takeaway."
However, in the design and access statement it states that parking in the area will be "excellent" for their delivery drivers.
The consultation period for the planning application ends on December 20 and a final decision is set to be made on January 19, 2022.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok
Got a story for us? Send us your news and pictures here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel