It will be the 14th KFC in the city if it gets the go ahead
The former Barclays Branch on Allerton Road(Image: Google)
Proposals for a fast food takeaway at a former bank branch in south Liverpool have been met with anger. Plans have been lodged with Liverpool Council to convert the former Barclays Bank branch on Allerton Road into a KFC restaurant.
Gastronomy Restaurants Ltd – a KFC franchisee – has made a bid to transform the building that has stood empty since the chain moved out of the area last year. It would become the American chain’s 14th location in the city if plans are approved.
However, the proposals have been met with hostility by some residents when the application was confirmed on Monday. Gastronomy is seeking to open the site from 8am to midnight daily.
According to planning documents seen by the ECHO, the building would have a new aluminum entrance door, the removal of window and installation of aluminium entrance door for deliveries; removal and brick up of window to rear and side elevation and an existing cash machine openings to be bricked up. A new concrete ramp would be installed with galvanised handrail to be formed to the rear door; new aluminium facia panels to be installed and existing shopfront frames to be repainted.
If approved by the city council later this year, the business would trade from 8am to midnight seven days a week. A date has yet to be confirmed for the plans to go before officials.
Cllr Richard Kemp represents the Penny Lane ward in which the restaurant would be located and said he would recuse himself from the planning committee to oppose the plans. He said: “It’s going to attract a lot of people in the area who wouldn’t normally eat there.
“I can’t see there being any spin off for Allerton Road and as a council we don’t think junk food is the best thing for our children. It’s just a bad choice.”
Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Richard Kemp(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Members of the community’s Facebook group in L18 have also made their feelings known about the proposals. One commenter said: “Absolutely not. Like we need something like that around here.
“For one, the traffic is bad enough round there as it is. Also, opening up at 8.00am is obviously aimed at the kids going to school. We have an obesity problem in this country and we have something like this popping up, no way, and open till midnight, imagine the litter as well and possibly gangs hanging around.”
Another added: “Such a weird place to try and put one. Parking would be a nightmare too as it ends up with so many delivery drivers doing random things.”
One person remembered using the former building. They said: “I used Barclays Bank most days.
“My Mum had Alzheimer’s and would call in for the company of the lovely staff there even though I was with her everyday. No, there is no need for such an eatery there.”