Plans to turn former Fulwood bike shop into a takeaway

An application has been submitted to Preston City Council for permission to convert the now closed Fulwood Cycles on Black Bull Lane into a hot food outlet.

The proposed eatery would be open seven days a week from 10am until 11pm.

In Preston, permission for new takeaways within 400 metres of a secondary school is granted only where the operator pledges not to open before 5pm. Fulwood Academy lies 490 metres from the planned outlet, meaning that it would not be bound by that restriction.

Supporting documents submitted as part of the application acknowledge the potential for the conversion to have a “high potential odour impact risk” for neighbouring properties – including a first floor flat above the shop.

However, the applicant’s agent claims that the specialist equipment which will be installed at the unit would prevent any problems. Proposed measures include a filtration system which emits ozone to “neutralise” odours – and a high-velocity flue to force any emissions upwards at the point they enter the atmosphere.

“The Noise and Odour Assessment concludes that the implementation of all of the mitigation measures will ensure neighbouring properties will experience no [adverse] effect,” a report by PWA Planning claims.

Waste generated by the business would be transferred to bins in an existing storeroom on the premises – away from both the food area and public view.

Five existing parking spaces at the front of the shop will be retained for use by staff and customers and the conversion will not involve any external alterations to the building, apart from new signage.