Italian restaurant chain Tony Macaroni could still be on it’s way to Lanark Braidfute Retail Park

Braidfute Park owners County Properties, were refused planning permission by South Lanarkshire Council to extend one of the shop units there by about a third in size.

This scheme faced strong opposition from people living in the adjoining housing estate as well as the Royal Burgh of Lanark Community Council.

On a connected issue, speculation was voiced at a meeting of Lanark Communty Council that a planned redevelopment of the stone auction ring on the site to become a family-orientated Italian restaurant, part of the growing Tony Macaroni chain, had fallen through.

However, a spokeswoman for South Lanarkshire Council has told the Gazette that, as far as its planning department was concerned, the application for planning permission was still `live’ and would be considered by councillors in the near future.