by Anna White
awhite@thekmgroup.co.uk

A takeaway wants to open at a site on the outskirts of the town centre which is quickly becoming a hot spot for food shops.

An eatery has applied to Maidstone council for permission to build a restaurant where the Eagle pub once stood on the Loose Road, a stone’s throw away from a cluster of similar businesses.

Tesco Express opened next door to the former public house in August last year. On the other side of the store, which was previously Tile Giant, is Pizza Hut delivery and recently-launched Big Ben’s Fish and Grill.

Mediterranean Supermarket is on the opposite side of the busy road and has been serving customers for more than 10 years.

Cllr Denise Joy (Lib Dem) believes an additional takeaway could make the congestion worse.

Mrs Joy who represents the area on Maidstone council, said: “The main issue for me is the traffic. I have noticed a difference since Tesco opened, especially when the big lorries are making deliveries, and it’s more difficult to pull out of Old Tovil Road. I think the committee will have to make sure that this is taken into account when it makes a decision.”

The proposed new takeaway would include six car parking bays and four spaces for cycles, accessed by Old Tovil Road.

Bosses would recruit two full-time and three part-time workers. The opening times are not yet known.

People have until Wednesday, September 19 to comment on the application.