Plans for Tim Hortons drive-thru in Shrewsbury refused over road concerns

15 April 2021

Proposals to develop a new Tim Hortons drive-thru restaurant in Shrewsbury have been refused.

Grocott Developments Ltd lodged the plans with Shropshire Council to transform a former Frankie & Benny’s restaurant at 1 Battlefield Road to provide a new Tim Hortons drive-thru facility.

The existing building would remain largely unaltered apart from a small extension to provide the pay/collection window at the end of the drive-thru lane.

A statement filed with the council on behalf of the applicant said: "The mass casual dining market has been declining over recent years and the impact of Covid -19 has led to the unfortunate demise for many of the multiple high street brands, accordingly many buildings of this type are now laying vacant.

"New uses for this type of building stock must be found if they are to be brought back into service. Due to Covid measures, the demand for drive-thru dining is increasing rapidly as an alternative.

"The proposed end user has identified this as a prime site within Shrewsbury. The formation of this Drive-thru restaurant will provide much needed employment within Shrewsbury."

However, a statement published by the council said: "It has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the internal operation of the drive-thru facility in association with the restaurant use of the building and adjacent children's nursery would not have a detrimental and adverse impact upon the safe and efficient vehicular access into and out of the site from the A5112 Whitchurch Road."