Pizza takeaway coming to Great Hollands at former butchers

Plans to convert an empty butcher’s shop in Great Hollands Square into a hot food grill and pizza eatery have been given the all-clear.

This comes despite neighbours being divided over the proposal.

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More than 100 backed the plans but a petition with 65 signatures against the design was also sent to Bracknell Forest Council’s (BFC) planning team.

Great Hollands North councillor Mary Temperton opposed the development, but her counterpart Michael Gbadebo, who is ward member for Great Hollands South, welcomed the move.

He said: “I would rather have somebody use this unit for the community than having it closed.

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“I think it will be very good for the community, I think it will be very good for the residents, and I can’t wait to visit!”

Owners closed the butchers more than 18 months ago blaming the “current economic situation”, effects of “Brexit uncertainty” and “the current rise of online shopping” for shutting down.

They say the new takeaway will “activate the neighbourhood centre” and will “better serve local residents”.

Cllr Colin Dudley agreed, telling the planning committee: “It is often difficult and upsetting to hear about traditional shops like butchers, grocers, bakers, things like that changing to more modern uses like hot food takeaways.

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“I think for small shopping centres like this you have to look at other uses for the shop.

“I think rather than have it as a shop that is empty, which probably does affect the viability of the small shopping centre, to have something there to draw customers in to support the other shops that are there is something to applaud.”

Pizza bosses want the store to be open from Monday to Sunday between 11:00am and 11:00pm

Five jobs could be created by the new shop.

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