New Crewe Canadian drive-thru restaurant approved for former Frankie & Benny's

By Ryan Parker

24th Nov 2023 | Local News

A new Canadian drive-thru restaurant has been approved at the site of Crewe's Frankie and Benny's, despite traffic congestion fears.

On Friday 24 November, Cheshire East Council gave permission for Tim Hortons UK to open on Grand Junction Retail Park.

The coffee and bakehouse chain first submitted plans to open in Crewe this April, a unit also occupied by Gourmet 4 until 2022.

Tim Hortons will convert the former Frankie and Benny's building into a coffee shop/restaurant, selling food and drink for consumption on and off the premises (Ryan Parker).

Tim Hortons will convert the building into a coffee shop/restaurant, selling food and drink for consumption on and off the premises.

The Canadian chain will also construct a new a drive-thru lane, along with making alterations to the car park.

Tim Hortons sells a variety of hot and cold food, including breakfasts, paninis, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, doughnuts and lattice fries.

It also serves a selection of coffees, teas, hot chocolates, milkshakes, refreshers, coolers and soft drinks.

Tim Hortons will open its retail park drive-thru from 7am to 12am, seven days per week.

Satisfied with the proposals, a Cheshire East Planning officer said: "The proposed development is considered to be acceptable in principle.

Tim Hortons will construct a new a drive-thru lane, along with making alterations to the car park (Cheshire East Planning).

"The design is considered to be appropriate and complies with the relevant development plan policies.

"The development would not have a detrimental impact upon residential amenity (this includes noise, air quality and contaminated land).

"The proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of its highways implications."

"The proposed development complies with the Development Plan as a whole.

In June, TK Maxx objected to Tim Horton's Crewe drive-thru restaurant plans.

Tim Hortons will open its Grand Junction Retail Park drive-thru from 7am to 12am, seven days per week (Ryan Parker).

A statement read: "The existing car park experiences regular and severe congestion issues.

"Traffic marshals are already required and the proposed development has the potential to significantly worsen this existing situation.

"Even if the development is viewed in the context of a Tim Hortons premises only, it has the potential to adversely impact the operation of the car park."

Despite these objections, Tim Horton's Crewe development will go ahead.

As of November 2023, the Canadian chain has 78 food outlets across the UK.