Business owners in an Aberdeenshire town have raised concerns about the impact a new takeaway could have on their profits.
Councillors have granted permission for the new eatery in the centre of Banchory, welcoming plans to make use of a vacant building.
Grzegorz Kowalski will now adapt the Bridge Street building, which once was a charity shop, into the takeaway – which will serve everything from stovies to ratatouille.
But nine objections were received when locals were consulted over the proposals.
Lesia Robertson, owner of the Mammia Mia Italian restaurant, wrote that she found the application to be “very inconsiderate” and claimed it would cause “more damage to the community than any good”.
She wrote: “We have been struggling to maintain our business with such low traffic of people in the area.”
The restaurateur had “pleaded” with councillors to “give existing businesses a chance to achieve our rents” by knocking back the application.
A number of residents from nearby retirement complex Shaw’s Court also objected, fearing increased traffic and the potential for anti-social behaviour.
The takeway will be open 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays, and beteen 8am and 2pm on Saturday.
It’s the second development poised for Banchory, which has this year benefited from an Aberdeenshire Council scheme to boost town centres, alongside Huntly and Stonehaven.
The cafe will serve hot drinks, soft drinks, Belgian waffles, hot and cold sandwiches, paninis and soup.
Supporting documents by Matthew W Merchant, on behalf of the applicant, stated: “The proposed use will make a positive contribution to the retailing not only in Scott Skinner Square but also to the High Street and Banchory generally.”
