Planning Approval For George’s at Thornton Square!
Catering entrepreneurs George & Spyroulla Psomas are now open for business. George’s offers tasty kebabs from the Mediterranean. And of course traditional fish and chips. George says:- “We spotted a gap in the market for Macclesfield takeaways. There was none in Thornton Square. Or nearby. So when LCP’s unit came up we seized the initiative. It’s an ideal location. Next to the Co-Op, near The Weaver pub. With ample car-parking. We’ve been waiting for the right place to grow our unique brand.”
George’s is regularly packed. Locals are enjoying a blend of the traditional and exotic. Cooked fresh to order. And the interior design is high quality. No vinyl tiles here! Polished procelain means George’s is ultra clean. As well as good looking. It was finished smoothly by construction company Macowen.
But there’s much more behind the scenes. This is a state-of-art installation. The latest air extract, filtration and anti-fume technology is installed. It is a big investment. George and Spyroulla are experienced in catering. Their family are successful in Congleton already. So their management skill and excellent premises are a winning team. Cheshire East Council recognised their commitment. Personal and financial. And the Council knew they would boost the local retail offer. All shops benefit from takeways ‘ foot-fall. So how does CEC promote the high street? By granting planning approval to a sustainable business.
But planning approval for Macclesfield takeaways is hard to get. Why? Because they can be controversial. Here are some reasons.
- A takeaway doesn’t open all day. Planning policy aims for a busy high street.
- Macclesfield takeaways have clustered in Town. Customers using Just Eat can browse. The Just Eat website shows all Macclesfield takeaways. At a glance. So customers often use more than one. Then Macclesfield takeaways can feed off one next door. But if Macclesfield takeways cluster other shops are absent. Planning policy aims for a rich mix of shops.
- A takeaway can produce litter. Well managed ones do not. But management is not checked in planning applications. So there is a risk of litter. A management risk. Then Macclesfield looks untidy. And food litter means vermin. Cheshire East Council aims for tidy streets. And it must protect public health.
- A takeaway can be noisy and smelly. Even a simple extract system has a big fan. They create noise. But this can be contained by the right equipment. Other equipment can filter smells. But the noise containing equipment needs maintenance. Another management risk.
- Parking can be a problem. Because customers often use cars. So in Sunderland Street, Macclesfield, there is a takeaway every other door. Or so it seems. CEC allows Macclesfield takeaways to cluster here. Because then Mill Street’s shops can be a richer mix. But parking is often casual. Meaning half on the payment! A pedestrian hazard.
Vital Ingredient
These drawings show my 3D design capability. They are simple. Whereas some of my 3D drawings are more complex. But they were also a vital ingredient to obtain planning approval.
The drawings show precisely where the equipment will be. So fans, filters and sound reduction kit is all clearly illustrated. Therefore they explained the equipment to the Environmental Health Officer. This equipment cleans air by filtering it. It also has sound muffling boxes at each fan. And it includes a perfuming system. So the Officer is reassured. And she is the key decision maker. She was finally pursuaded by a key meeting. George showed excellent management skill. I explained the equipment. A good team!
