Domino’s is set to open in Penicuik’s shopping precinct later this year after receiving the required permissions from Midlothian Council.
It emerged in March that the national fast food takeaway chain was eyeing up a unit in Penicuik. Now, three months later, Domino’s has now received change of use permission and advertisement consent, permitting them to press ahead with internal fit out and ultimately opening.
The new outlet is planned for unit nine, former Chen’s Kitchen, in Penicuik’s Shopping Centre and will feature a small sit-in area, though the outlet will be primarily for takeaways and deliveries. It is understood that 35 jobs will be created, both in store and as part of the new delivery network in west Midlothian.
Two objections were registered to the change of use application but officials approved it promptly, stating that the unit had already been given permission to operate as a takeaway after RS McColl newsagents closed last decade. Permission allows the takeaway to operate from 11am to 11pm everyday and strict conditions have been put in place to limit noise to nearby residential properties. A new window will also be created onto the car park.
An agent acting on behalf of Domino’s also sought permission to erect internally illuminated advertisement signage on the unit but Midlothian Council requested this be altered in light of planned heritage improvements to the town centre. Strict guidelines will be enforced on store signage to prevent unsightly and oversized signs. Domino’s altered their application to erect externally illuminated signage instead and the council rubber-stamped it.
Despite the permissions however, the unit has not yet been formally let by the chain. It is also unclear when they plan to open but late Summer/Autumn is probably a fair bet.
Domino’s were approached for comment but did not wish to at this time.
Elsewhere, Jean’s Cafe next door has closed and is now vacant. Vacancy rates still remain high in the town centre but there are signs of improvement. A vintage tea room called Penipots has opened in the shopping precinct along with a new Chinese takeaway, Lord of the Noodles, on High Street. Work is commencing at a pace on the fit out of a new vet practice in the former co-operative building. Gordon Vets, who currently operate out of a small unit on Carnethy Avenue, aim to open their new state of the art practice later this Summer. The Penicuik Storehouse project is also in advanced stages of fit out and will open to the public soon. Though construction work is not evident at the ongoing restoration and extension of the Railway Tavern, the Cuckoo understands that all materials have now been signed off by the council and the owner hopes to open soon.
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