A grade II listed former vape shop will become a Dutch fast-food takeaway restaurant, with plans approved on Friday.
The UK’s first Chipstar franchise will move into 3 Broad Street in Reading’s town centre after the council approved the proposal. The company specialises in Dutch fries and describes itself as ‘potato experts’.
It will take over the empty unit next to The Alehouse, which was most recently home to Vape Superstore, and make alterations to the shopfront and internal layout.
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Reading Borough Council (RBC) approved the plans despite initial noise, odour and design concerns.
Chipstar adapted its proposal during a four-month to address the numerous issues raised, eventually satisfying the council.
The interior of the shop is “in a terrible condition having suffered years of neglect”, according to the Chipstar’s planning consultant, with the franchise planning to turn the unit into a “lively and thriving fast food shopfront”.
Chipstar currently has franchises in Italy, Spain and Israel, serving fries and chips, along with sausage, bacon, chicken, cheese fondue, onion and a variety of sauces.
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The first store was set up in 2013 in Naples, with the “simple idea to delight potato lovers all over the world thanks to high quality fresh products”.
According to the company, this resulted in “unprecedented success”, with “never-ending lines outside the shop and more than 14,000 requests for affiliations in just six months”.
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