Bid to turn turn pharmacy into food outlet
RESTAURANT PLANS FOR VACANT BOOTS BRANCH
PLANS have been submitted to turn a former Boots pharmacy into a takeaway and restaurant.
The proposals centre on the former Boots branch in Greens Lane, Kimberley, which is currently vacant.
Under the plans, a takeaway or dining-in restaurant would move into the premises – with enough space for 22 people to eat in.
Applicant Rudolph Howell, in plans submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “The existing retail premises was for Boots the Chemist.
“My proposed development is to convert it to a food retail – takeaway or dining in.
“The development consists largely of one area of the premises dedicated to preparing meals, sectioned off by counters, and the other area dedicated for seating dining-in customers, up to 22 people.
“At the front of the store there will be a unisex disabed toilet with handwash facilities.”
Shoppers in Kimberley reacted to the plans, predicting any new development would be popular with people visiting the town centre.
Olga Ridge, 62, from Nuthall, said: “I think it would be great – it would make an absolute killing here. It’s always so busy.
“If there’s a place to have a seat and enjoy your food, I think that would be better than just a takeaway.
“I’d much rather see it go to a local business than a Mcdonald’s or something like that; I wouldn’t be interested in going to another one of these chain places.
“I think it would be very nice for the area, definitely.”
But her husband, Andrew Ridge, 60, said: “I think there are more than enough food places and takeaways around here, to be honest. “My feeling is we should be concentrating on creating more manufacturing jobs at the minute. That’s what keeps this country going.” Meanwhile Clive Oakley, 58, from Watnall, told the Post: “I think it would be very beneficial for this area. “The barbers near here used to be a chip shop and we haven’t really got another one around here – I think it would do really well.
“I’d certainly use it! It’s better it be used for something than stay empty like it is at the minute – it never looks very good for the area.” The application will now be considered by Broxtowe Borough Council’s planning committee.
I think it would be great – it would make an absolute killing here. It’s always so busy
Olga Ridge