Former Woolies building set for new restaurant (From Echo)

Former Woolies building set for new restaurant

3:00pm Tuesday 6th October 2009 in News By Geoff Percival

PLANS to convert the former Woolworths store in Rayleigh High Street into an Italian restaurant look likely to be approved.

Rochford District Council’s head of planning, Shaun Scrutton, has provisionally given the go-ahead for the plans to open a branch of the Ask chain.

According to Mr Scrutton’s report to the planning committee, the property firm marketing the building said it had received little interest from retailers.

The only firm offer had come from Ask Restaurants.

The report states: “If there is no likelihood of a retail use being found, the proposed use is considered to be better for the town than for it to remain empty for a further indeterminate period.

“The restaurant will be open throughout the day and the evening.

“It therefore has the potential to positively attract visitors to the town throughout the day, as well as supporting the night-time economy.

“On balance, the use will make a positive contribution to the vitality and long-term viability of the town centre.”

The plans were supported by Rayleigh Town Council, but opposed by some High Street traders concerned about the impact a big-name chain may have on the town.

Marco Dinallo, who runs La Romantica restaurant opposite, has been battling the plan since it was first put forward, but said he was not surprised by the recommendation. He added: “I don’t think Ask would be any good for the town. Rayleigh’s attraction is the individual shops and businesses, so we look different from other towns.

“We do not need these chain outlets, which are all the same as each other.

“I am not saying this because I run a restaurant, because I don’t believe our trade would be affected. But we have already been hit by the recession”

Dave Sperring, chairman of Rayleigh Town Council, said: “It is a very difficult position, as we did not wish to lose another retail unit in the High Street. However, it has been closed since February and there appear to be no expressions of interest apart from Ask, and we felt this kind of family-orientated restaurant was better than having it left open. We reluctantly agreed not to object to the proposal.”

Councillors will be given an opportunity to discuss the provision approval at the next planning committee meeting.