New eatery on the menu at retail park

Thumbs-up for Italian restaurant

An Italian restaurant has been given the okay to open at the Phoenix Retail Park.

Bella Italia will move into a new building opposite Arnold Clark after council chiefs granted permission.

Architects 3D Reid submitted blueprints for the 4,000sqft space with Renfrewshire Council earlier in the year.

Planners agreed construction should go ahead after studying a report sent to councillors.

It stated: “The aim is to create a new food unit which can complement the current list of tenants.

“The new pavilion will have its own sense of identity and a new point of reference for visitors by adding a new dimension to the existing shopping experience available.

“Through considered material selection and design decisions, the retail unit applications seek to generate additional activity and purpose to new public space and new employment opportunities within the local area.”

Bosses behind the retail park want to the chain to open after proposals for a kitchen, dining space, stores and 32-space car park were approved.

Consultants DWR Property previously revealed the site had been offered to Bella Italia.

Local authority chiefs rubberstamped designs for a drive- thru diner at the site three years ago.

But these have been scrapped in favour of the sit-down restaurant.

Modus Transport Solutions have been drafted in to assess the impact of extra traffic and parking needs in the area.

Experts insisted there was space to deal with the project.

The firm said: “The development site is intended to improve the overall customer offer at the existing Phoenix Retail Park and provide a much-needed restaurant, which is currently lacking.

“The main usage of the restaurant will be during the evening, with the peak usage occurring after 5pm during both a typical weekday and weekend.

“This reaffirms that the small shortfall in parking for the development can more than be made up for by the existing parking provision within the retail park.”

The Casual Dining Group runs more than 90 Bella Italia branches across the UK, alongside French and Latin American-themed restaurants. from only Buy selected photographs featured in paper today using our quick and easy print service. A wide range of print sizes and formats are available, including a range of unique photo gifts - plus there are fantastic discounts for multiple print orders.

The development will provide a much-needed restaurant