Coffee giant plans to drive in

STARBUCKS has plans to open a new drive-thru near Stockport town centre.

The coffee giant has submitted proposals for a new outlet which would replace Pizza Hut, at Garfield Court, off Great Portwood Street.

The application seeks permission to install a new drive-thru lane at the eatery – situated opposite the Peel Centre – which currently offers dine-in and takeaway options.

Documents lodged with the council confirm the intended ‘removal of the

Pizza Hut restaurant,’ as opposed to a drive-thru running alongside it.

Some demolition will be needed to allow for the construction of the new lane, although part of the building will be retained to provide a canopy area over the drive-thru facility. The proposal would create 20 full time-equivalent jobs.

A transport report submitted with the application says the proposal would bring a number of benefits to the area, without significantly increasing traffic.

It reads: “The proposed redevelopment of the existing restaurant to provide a drive-thru coffee shop facility would provide updated and more convenient facilities for the users of the surrounding retail areas and in itself would not lead to any significant numbers of additional vehicle movements on the local highway network.

In conclusion, it adds: “There are no outstanding reasons why the proposed redevelopment should not be granted planning permission on transport grounds.”

As part of the redevelopment, 12 car parking bays will be removed within Garfield Court leaving 52 spaces. According to the transport report, this would be ‘sufficient’ to meet the demands of the drive-thru and the adjacent commercial units.

A further assessment is said to demonstrate ‘that the largest anticipated service vehicle as well as a large family car can comfortably be accommodated within the site.”

It adds that the site is ‘highly accessible’ by public transport and walking ‘which would work to encourage access by sustainable modes for both staff and customers.’

A Starbucks spokesperson said: “We are always looking for new locations and opportunities to bring the Starbucks Experience to customers in the UK, but at this time we have no updates to share about plans in Stockport.”

Pizza Hut declined to comment.

Stockport council will decide whether to grant planning permission for the scheme.