The site of the former Topshop store on Stranden may soon be replaced by a new Burger King. The application by Burger King UK, which is currently being considered by Westminster City Council, is expected to span five floors and accommodate more than 100 people to dine in at the central London branch.
The fast food giant said it would boost local jobs and bring long-term economic growth to Westminster City. The proposal aims to turn the ground floor into an ordering and dining area with additional seating on the first floor.
Back-of-house operations are expected to take up the lower ground and basement levels and include a new fan and four air conditioning condensers as well as two smaller additional fans. The proposal also includes removing the existing black cladding to reveal the stonework underneath.
Although the application has been supported by council planning officers, it has faced some criticism from the local authority and residents. Westminster City Council challenged Burger King UK over its classification of the site as a restaurant rather than a takeaway.
The application read: “The officers disagreed with this characterization of the proposed use. Given the dish service shown on the submitted drawings, the lack of prominence of much of the seating on the premises and the fast food nature of the applicant’s offering, the officers considered that the majority of the food and drink purchased on the premises will be consumed outside the premises.
“Therefore, the proposed use would be as hot food takeaway (sui generis).” Some residents said the noise and smell would have “a significantly detrimental effect” on them and were concerned the increased traffic to the area would make access to their underground car park more difficult.
One resident wrote: “The ultimate appearance of the proposed works and the nature of the facility – Burger King – itself will detract from the beauty and prestige of a valued and peaceful conservation area, both for residents and visitors. This is not what Strand and Robert and John Adam Streets and the Adelphi Building are about.”
Addressing residents’ concerns about odours, Burger King UK told a kitchen extract that roof-level vents would include a filter to remove odours. The council’s planning officer wrote: “Given the restrictions on opening hours, the requirement for a business plan and the ban on delivery services operating from the hot food takeaway, it is considered that although it will be large, this hot food takeaway will be of a type and size suitable for its location on the Strand.”
Westminster City Council will hand down its decision during a planning meeting on Tuesday, October 29. Burger King UK has been contacted for comment.
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