Two new drive thrus could open at the Riverside Retail Park in Nottingham under newly revealed plans. A Popeyes restaurant and Starbucks coffee shop would be allowed to set up in the car park of the retail park, located off the A453 Queens Drive, if fresh plans are approved by Nottingham City Council.
US restaurant group Popeyes are expanding within the UK and recently opened their first Nottingham restaurant within the former Burger King building in Upper Parliament Street, with the retail park earmarked for their second. The chain is famous for its Louisiana chicken, which comes classic or spicy, and also serves tenders, hot wings with sides of mash and cajun gravy, buttermilk biscuits and mac 'n' cheese.
A planning document stated commercial terms had been agreed for the second space on the southern side of the Electric Avenue to be operated by Starbucks. In the last two years the coffeehouse chain have opened similar facilities in Netherfield and further east along Queens Drive next to Dunelm at the Castle Bridge Road junction.
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A total of 105 car parking spaces would be removed at the Riverside Retail Park to create the drive-thrus, reducing the total number of car parking spaces at the site from 1,083 to 978. A transport statement submitted as part of the planning document suggested the loss of spaces would be "acceptable".
As well as drive-thru facilities both eateries would have internal seating areas for customers. The applicant commented that a complementary food and beverage offer is now expected by customers when they visit retail parks, with Riverside Retail Park "unusual" in that it currently offers nothing of this nature.
Planning documents highlighted this was due to a planning condition which has historically restricted restaurants setting up at the retail park. The second element of the plan is to get permission for convenience goods to be sold from vacant units, in a move that aims to "future-proof" the retail park during uncertain times.
A number of new stores have opened in recent times at the retail park. The Food Warehouse welcomed in customers from July and opened in part of the former Toys R Us superstore. The former toy store was divided into smaller units, with Home Bargains and JD Sports already having moved into two of the units with the Food Warehouse taking over the last one. Poundland also opened at the retail park earlier this year.
The planning application for the two drive-thru ventures was submitted by Blackrock UK Property Fund. It is pending consideration by Nottingham City Council.
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