A PLANNING application has been submitted to subdivide a former restaurant premises at a retail park.
Proposals seek permission to divide and change the use of the former Frankie & Benny's restaurant, at Ravenhead Retail Park.
The plans seek to create two units, along with external alternations, with "advanced negotiations for half the unit" to be taken up by a "national bakery/café operator".
The plans state the unit has attracted "very limited interest and, most recently, following site inspections the unit was rejected by a national chain of charity shops and a vets".
The proposed subdivision is aimed at "making the remaining space more attractive to retailers".
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A cover letter by planning agents DWD Property and Planning in the application states: "I write on behalf of Corona Vulcan Ravenhead Limited (the applicant) to submit a planning application for the variation of Condition 19 of planning permission to allow the subdivision and part change of use for restaurant to retail use of Unit 6A at Ravenhead Retail Park, Milverny Way, St Helens".
The plans state the unit "was previously occupied by Frankie & Benny’s as a restaurant", until this relocated to Linkway West in 2018, before it was announced in 2020 the premises would close.
The unit at Ravenhead Retail Park has remained vacant since the relocation.
The cover letter added: "Unit 6A has been marketed extensively by the applicant, including ‘To Let’ boards and using its extensive national and regional property contacts and through the issue of marketing details and advertising" and has "appointed three leasing agents specialising in retail and leisure agency with combined experience covering many decades".
It was said: "There has been very limited interest and, most recently, following site inspections the unit was rejected by a national chain of charity shops and a vets.
"Both considered the unit to be too big or in the wrong location on the scheme, preferring representation closer to anchor tenant B&Q".
Plans aim to make 'remaining space more attractive'
The plans added: "There is currently advanced negotiations for half the unit from a national bakery/café operator.
"The application is therefore aimed at facilitating part occupation of the unit while making the remaining space more attractive to retailers.
"The applicant’s investment in the unit will be in the region of £250,000 comprising the costs to subdivide, strip out the previous occupier’s (now defunct) shop fit and repair damage sustained from vandals.
"Bringing the unit back into beneficial use will contribute to the local economy in terms of jobs and spending as well as business rates (the unit is currently subject to empty rates relief as it is vacant and incapable of occupation).
"The applicant is also seeking the change of use of the new Unit 6A2 from A3 food and drink use (as stipulated by the planning permission) to Use Class E, which would allow for a range of uses, including retail use."
The application says works would include "some minor external alterations".
The letter concluded: "Following a sustained period of vacancy and consistent efforts to lease the property this application seeks to deliver £250,000 of investment to refurbish and subdivide it, bringing it back into active use delivering additional employment opportunities and business rates revenue to the borough".
The planning application is on standard consultation to the public until Tuesday, January 30. A decision on the plans is expected by February 15.
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