The national pizza takeaway chain has confirmed its intentions to open in the town.

Following our report earlier this month that a national chain was in discussions to open in a long time vacant unit in Penicuik’s Shopping Centre, we are now able to confirm that Domino’s is the planned new tenant.

The global takeaway chain has submitted a planning application to convert unit nine, the former Chen’s Kitchen restaurant, into a takeaway with a small sit-in area. Should the ‘Change of Use’ application be granted, it will be one of the first Domino’s outlets in the UK to feature a sit down area, though the chain’s agents note that the unit will primarily be a takeaway.

It is understood that 35 jobs could be created by the opening, extending the coverage of Domino’s delivery service to the west of Midlothian. The county’s first outlet was opened in Dalkeith last January.

Operating hours will be between 11am and 11pm, allowing the takeaway to operate through the lunch and dinner periods.

However, opening is not yet guaranteed and a battle with planners is highly likely due to an over provision of hot food takeaways in the town. Agents argue that approval will bring a highly prominent vacant unit back into much needed use and that the previous business venture had also operated as a takeaway. Critics, though, will say that Penicuik cannot possibly sustain another takeaway and that another type of business would be more beneficial for the town.

Elsewhere, work is continuing to open a vintage tea room, called Penipots, in the shopping precinct and The Original Factory Shop has rebranded to “tofs” as part of a nationwide rebranding. It is understood that 28 High Street, the former Clydesdale Bank, is also under offer. Work appears to have stalled on the reconstruction of the historical Railway Tavern pub.

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