Firstplan continue to provide planning advice to JKS Restaurants, a multi-branded boutique restaurant group, as part of their ongoing expansion programme. The company now operate several restaurants across London, including Michelin-starred Trishna, Gymkhana and Lyle’s, as well as Bao, Hoppers, Bubbledogs and Kitchen Table.
Firstplan have provided advice and assistance on a range of related issues including listed building matters, plant and ventilation solutions, noise issues, shopfronts, signage, and trading hour restrictions.
Firstplan have successfully acted for Wahaca, a vibrant Mexican restaurant chain, for a number of years to secure consent for a number of their restaurants.
Projects have included a successful advertisement appeal, obtaining consent for changes of use, external alterations such as changes to shopfronts, restaurant extensions to create additional seating areas, and external plant to meet the restaurants operational requirements.
Firstplan secured consent for the installation of new external roof plant, shop front alterations and new signage to enable Sticks N Sushi to open their first Central London restaurant in Covent Garden. Managing a team of engineers, architects, and acoustic consultants, we advised on the environmental and heritage implications of the proposals relating to a prominent site in a conservation area.
At Greenwich Firstplan advised on listed premises for Sticks’n’Sushi, securing a new build extension, roof top plant, internal fitout and refurbishment and amendments to the shopfront and signage.
Firstplan have also acted for Sticks’n’Sushi in Cambridge City Centre. The restaurant occupies the listed former reference and lending library within the Guildhall. The main issues related to resolving the listed building considerations, refuse strategy and plant.
As retained planning consultants, Firstplan continue to work with Nando’s to refurbish their existing property portfolio. This cycle of refurbishments includes over 30 restaurants each year, with many involving extensions, significant internal and external alterations, revision to the kitchen extract plant and outside areas, and works to listed buildings.
The properties are located nationwide and Firstplan manage the necessary planning applications, in conjunction with the Project Manager, Designers, HVAC consultants and other parties involved, to ensure there are no delays to the agreed programme.
Firstplan maintain their long-standing relationship with Nando’s, securing all necessary planning, listed building and advertisement permissions as the restaurant operator continues its rapid expansion.
The range of new sites and locations requires Firstplan to prepare and submit the full variety of applications, from change of use to signage, and listed building consent to discharge of conditions. Permission was also recently secured at committee for Nando’s new development kitchen and flexible use facility in Putney.
Firstplan also carry out site appraisals into the viability of potential new sites, to advise prior to acquisition and work on behalf of Nando’s with Developers / Landlords to secure the necessary permissions in advance of Nando’s occupation.
Firstplan have successfully acted for Jamie Oliver Restaurants on numerous sites including changes of use, installation of mechanical plant, signage and shopfront alterations.
Projects have included the Jamie’s Italians in Norwich and Nottingham which are grade II* listed, a pop-up Jamie’s Diner on Shaftesbury Avenue including part A5 takeaway use, changes of use in Richmond and Chelmsford and a roof terrace structure in the heart of Piccadilly.
Cardiff’s Newport Road comprises one of the City’s premier retail, leisure and business locations. Until Frankie & Benny’s opened in 2011, there was very limited choice of restaurant facilities to serve those visiting and working in the area. Firstplan advised on all planning aspects of the project from the initial appraisal through to the negotiation of planning permission for the new restaurant unit.
Firstplan are the retained planning consultant for Brewdog Bars, and provide continued planning advice and representation in relation to their expanding bar, restaurant and off license portfolio across the UK.
Our work with Brewdog requires attention to detail alongside creative, proactive planning strategies to help overcome challenges quickly in order to meet restrictive timescales and help facilitate the company’s rapid expansion programme.
Firstplan’s role covers a wide breadth of areas, including:
- Carrying out feasibility appraisals and due diligence in respect of proposed new sites;
- Preparing and submitting planning applications and securing consents for various works including change of use, shopfront alterations, new signage, and ventilation and extract equipment;
- Negotiating with local authorities to justify additional night-time and drinking-related uses in contentious locations;
- Securing listed building consents in relation to works associated with refurbishment and fit out of a number of the company’s historic buildings;
- Varying restrictive planning conditions, including extending permitted trading hours;
- Advising on and dealing with planning enforcement matters.
Firstplan continue to provide planning advice and assistance to the Revolution Bars Group, who operate the Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba bar brands. Both of these brands operate across the UK and Firstplan have assisted in dealing with planning issues and securing sites from Bournemouth and Brighton to Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Our longstanding relationship with the business has enabled us to develop a detailed understanding of their design, trading and planning requirements. This has assisted us in providing them with quick and accurate advice and assistance, both in securing new sites and developing and expanding existing premises.
Firstplan’s work has involved overcoming the challenges associated with new late-night, Class A4 bar uses in potentially contentious locations, and includes: advising on the feasibility and planning risks of proposed new sites, securing changes of use, dealing with listed building issues and varying planning conditions.