Kentish Express Ashford & District
Turkish restaurant plan for former bank branch
A former town centre bank branch is set to be converted into a Turkish restaurant.
Archi-techture Design Studio Ltd is representing clients who have applied for planning permission to convert the old TSB branch in Bank Street into a restaurant.
The former branch is believed to have been empty since 2000 when the business was absorbed into the Lloyds Bank, but after splitting from Lloyds in 2013, TSB moved into new premises on the corner of Bank Street and Tufton Street.
But the designers want to open another restaurant at that end of town, following the arrival of the Texas barbecue themed Que’s restaurant earlier this summer.
According to the architects, the new restaurant will include a serving counter with display cases, but also as many as 80 covers for diners.
Archi-techture’s plan states: “The proposal will be ideal in this location as it is a highly affluent and populated area.”
The restaurant is set to serve “authentic Turkish cuisine” and will be “furnished to an elegant and modern standard” to create a restaurant with “a modern feel with an authentic cultural twist”.
If approved it could help pave the way for the further regeneration of the lower end of Bank Street, which will be near to the proposed town centre cinema and hotel development at Elwick Place.
It will also be near the conversion of the Trafalgar House building, which is being turned into new flats.
Ashford Borough Council officer Rob Bewick will be considering the plan, which is open to public consultation until Thursday, December 29.
Mr Bewick will then write a report for the council’s planning committee to recommend either approving or rejecting the change of use. His target date is Tuesday, January 24 next year.
To view the plans visit the planning section of the council website at www.ashford.gov. uk and search for reference 16/01720/AS.
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