Blue Lagoon granted permission to extend Central Station takeaway into sit-in restaurant

Council planners have granted permission for Blue Lagoon bosses to change the use of the neighbouring 24-hour convenience store, Newsbox.

The current takeaway will continue to operate while a restaurant will also be opened in the B-listed Gordon Street building.

Conditions of the approval mean the new service will be able to open from 9am to 5am daily, the same hours as the chippy. A glass frontage is planned across both units.

The application stated: “The owners and occupiers of Newsbox are to cease trading and will be selling the unit, which has provided an opportunity for the expansion of the existing Blue Lagoon takeaway to create a restaurant seating area.

“The proposed development would allow for the extension of the existing fish and chip shop premises, to create a single operation offering a sit-in restaurant whilst retaining the existing dedicated takeaway offering which currently operates out of 69 Gordon Street.”

According to the plans, around 20 full and part-time jobs would be created if the extension was approved. “Overall, this part of Gordon Street is primarily commercial in nature,” they said.

“The proposed use at this location would not diminish the retail functions of the street or the wider city centre, and would complement the existing business at this location”.

Blue Lagoon bosses believe the extension will have “a positive impact on the vitality and viability of this part of Gordon Street and the wider city centre”.

“The proposed alterations to the unit have been developed to protect and enhance the character and style of the listed building and to provide a unit which will meet the needs of the restaurant for the foreseeable future and furthermore, the proposal will facilitate the growth of a well-established business at this location.”