A family-run Isle of Wight cafe chain could expand its Ryde branch under plans submitted to the Isle of Wight council.
Island-based cafe chain French Franks Food Company Ltd is looking to extend the existing French Franks branch at 2 St Thomas’ Square into a nextdoor property which it has recently purchased.
Removing stud partition wall
The proposal involves removing a metal stud partition wall which currently separates 1 and 2 St Thomas’ Square, replacing double doors installed in 1989 with clear glass, taking out an indoor ramp and installing opening shopfront fanlights.
Reinstate side window
Side-facing openings and a window looking onto Church Lane would be reinstated.
Plans also involve removing a partition wall around an internal staircase and adjacent door, reinstalling awnings and extending French Franks’s signage.
Both 1 and 2 St Thomas’ Square are Grade II listed buildings.
Would provide “much-needed” additional space
French Franks’s expansion would provide “much-needed” additional space, support the local economy and provide employment, a Planning Statement prepared by architectural designer CAD delta Ltd said. It said,
“The reason for the removal of the doors is for two reasons: due to the amount of floor area the ramp takes up, which is valuable seating space, and it causes a pinch point between the central stairs and the ramp.
“It is essential to remove the ramp so the two areas (numbers 1 and 2) can function as one area reasonably unobstructed.
“The side-facing windows on the left once exposed will provide additional natural light and ventilation.
“French Franks is a well-established sandwich bar, the trading activity, type of food and opening hours will be as current and unaffected by additional space.
“There are restrictions to day-time trading hours and low-odour food for the existing unit which the applicants are happy to retain within the proposals for 1 St Thomas’ Square.”
CAD delta also stated French Franks “intends to improve” the use of sound absorption panels within the two properties as part of the plans.
View the plans
You can view the plans on the council’s planning register (24/01768/LBC).
The public consultation runs until 8th January 2024.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
