The building has been vacant for over two years
‘It deserves an occupier who will invest in it,’ said Andrew Miller of 1-2 Market Place, Barton, pictured(Image: Donna Clifford/Grimsby Live)
Permission has been granted to Domino’s to convert a former bank in Barton-upon-Humber into a hot food takeaway. The future Domino’s is expected to be open between 11am and 11pm and it is estimated will support 25 full-time equivalent jobs.
The pizza chain is converting 1-2 Market Place in the town. The building, last used by Money Box and longer ago as a NatWest branch, has been vacant for over two years.
The plans faced opposition, with Barton Town Council among those objecting, and a variety of reasons for objections put forward. This included parking concerns, as the takeaway will not have its own parking area, and public health concerns.
It is the third Domino’s expansion into northern Lincolnshire over the past year. Councillors approved the Barton proposal after going on a site visit.
‘Substantial public health concerns’
An individual spoke on behalf of a number of objectors at North Lincolnshire Council’s latest planning committee meeting. He noted there were 24 public objections to the Domino’s, as well as the town council and the council’s public health team objections.
He outlined that reasons for the objections covered a significant number of issues, but highlighted in his speech parking and public health in particular. He noted 5-9pm were its estimated peak trading hours.
“However, other takeaways in the area experience alternative peak times such as between 1 and 3 in the afternoon with the shift changes at Wren Kitchens,” he said. He also emphasised the plans involved “no identified parking area for mopeds, bicycles and the delivery drivers”.
“This is most likely going to cause illegal parking,” he said, as well as knock-on traffic issues. He also pointed out public health’s view that the town centre was oversubscribed for takeaways and noted the potential trading impact, observing: “The town can only support so many of these types of businesses before saturation point is reached.”
Cllr Paul Vickers (Barton Ward) said “substantial public health concerns” should not be ignored, and had misgivings about its location within the Barton Conservation Area at a building that is a non-designated listed asset. He also highlighted how confined the Market Place area can become.
‘This is an opportunity for our town’
Andrew Miller said they had been the proud owners of the building for many years. “It deserves an occupier who will invest in it, respect its character and secure its future.”
Domino’s were “prepared to make a significant investment right here and now in this building”. He hoped the site visit gave confirmation there was sufficient parking in the town centre to support the takeaway. He added its impact on other traders was not a material planning consideration.
“The simple choice before the committee is not between Domino’s and some ideal occupier waiting in the wings,” he said. Rather, it was between “a tried and tested business” ready to invest, or the real risk the building remained vacant.
Cllr Carol Ross (Broughton and Scawby) felt planning officers had taken concerns into account. She moved it for approval.
“It don’t seem long since we were in Brigg looking at exactly the same proposal, looking at the same resident concerns,” recalled Cllr John Davison (Bottesford) . He said as far as he was aware issues raised then had not materialised.
Commenting on old town centre buildings generally, he said: “Outfits like Domino’s are really the only people that have the financial clout to take those in hand.”
To find planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal .