‘US diner’ could bring 50 jobs

Proposals to build a fast food restaurant and an American-style diner near Oswestry are set to go before councillors next week.

The applicants say that about 50 full and part-time jobs would be created.

Plans have been put forward to build a Kentucky Fried Chicken drive-through restaurant and a 1950s-style OK Diner at the Gledrid Services, off the A5 at Weston Rhyn.

And the applicants, James Pickstock Ltd, Gastronomy Food Ltd and OK Diner Ltd, say about 50 full and part-time jobs would be created at the site after the development was complete.

In a report to go before members of Oswestry Borough Council’s development control committee on Tuesday, planning officers have recommended councillors give the application the go-ahead, subject to a number of conditions.

Services already at the site include a petrol station with a small shop, car and lorry parking and the award winning Transport Cafe, also owned by James Pickstock.

But the application is to further develop one hectare of vacant land at the site with the two restaurants.

The report says: “The proposal is to utilise an undeveloped area on the south western part of the site to provide restaurant facilities.

“The OK Diner building is based upon a themed American Diner concept.

“The two facilities would share centrally located car parking while the KFC facility also provides a ‘drive-thru’ service.”