Top kebab chain eyeing up city site German Doner interest in Murray Place store
A prominent city centre shop unit could soon be home to an international kebab chain.
German Doner Kebab have shown interest in opening one of their restaurants and takeaways in the former Brighthouse store at 50A Murray Place.
Stirling Council planners have already conditionally approved an application by property owners Merseyside Pension Fund for signage and a decision on a related application, for a change of use from retail to a composite restaurant and hot food takeaway shop is currently pending.
German Doner Kebab opened its first store in Berlin in 1989 and now has more than 50 franchises across Europe and the Middle East including Dubai, Bahrain, Sweden and the UK.
Describing themselves as the “undoubted leader in the kebab market”, GDK markets itself as a “fast food retailer that has created a healthy and nutritionally balanced approach to traditional kebabs” with a unique blend of traditional spices and exclusive products, as well as having innovative cooking processes.
Their website boasts: “Our kebabs are made from quality ingredients that are exclusive to our restaurants. The great taste comes from the secret sauces that set our products apart, from our competitors.
“We use lean succulent beef and pure chicken fillets. These meats are imported directly from Germany to maintain quality and consistency. We only use fresh, locally produced vegetables that are delivered and prepared daily along with our special ‘Doner Kebab’ bread.
“Our tried and tested methods are totally different to the way other operators make their kebabs. The result is a nutritionally sound gourmet food experience that contains virtually no preservatives or additives and can be consumed day or night.”
Other than some “pop-up” retail activity, the Murray Place unit has been vacant since rent-to-own retailer Brighthouse closed its shop and 29 others across the country in 2019.
The decision came after the Financial Conduct Authority announced it was to cap the amount of interest that rent-to-own retailers could charge customers.
In 2017, the regulator also forced the company to pay 249,000 customers a combined total of £14.8 million due to unfair business practices. The company’s accounts, for the six months to September 29, had also revealed a £ 22.1million pretax loss.