Chippy's expansion plan battered by nearby rival

1 hour ago

Paul MoseleyNorfolk political reporter

News image — French's wants to add tables and move cooking equipment into a former amusement arcade

Edd Smith/BBC Front view of French’s Fish & Chips, a blue-painted seaside takeaway and restaurant with large windows, exterior lamps and entrance signs. — French's wants to add tables and move cooking equipment into a former amusement arcade

A row has broken out in a picturesque seaside town between two fish and chip shops over plans made by one of them to expand.

For decades the quayside in Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk has been dominated by French's and Platten's – near-neighbours separated by a former arcade.

But the latter has objected to plans by French's to expand into the empty building, arguing that would damage the "diversity" of businesses in the area.

The proposal, which was submitted to North Norfolk Council earlier this year, will be decided on at a later date.

Google Street view of a seaside town high street showing Platten’s fish and chip restaurant beside Sands Restaurant and an amusement arcade. To the right is French's fish and chip shop. Several pedestrians walk along the pavement in front of a row of mixed traditional and modern shopfronts. — Platten's (left) sits next to the former arcade which French's (right) wants to expand into

The two restaurants are some of the best-known destinations for visitors to Wells, with French's founded in 1921, before moving to its current premises in 1925.

Platten's opened one door down from the other chippie in 1966 and both have remained popular in the decades since.

French's now wants to move cooking equipment and additional seating into a former amusement arcade which closed last year and sits between the two eateries.

However, that plan has led to firm opposition from their long-time competitor.

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Paul Moseley/BBC The quayside in Wells-next-the-Sea. A number of small boats are tied to decking and it is a bright day with a bright blue sky. — The two restaurants overlook the quay at Wells-next-the-Sea

Earlier this week, Platten's submitted a 10-point objection, arguing the expansion would reduce the diversity of traders locally and would be out of character for the area.

The business also suggested a necessary assessment of how much more waste would be generated had yet to be submitted and that French's had not filled out planning forms correctly.

It also calls for any final decision to be made by councillors on the planning committee, rather than council officers.

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