Starbucks could be set to take over a long-empty unit in one of Newport's busiest shopping areas. The US chain has applied to take over the former Frankie & Benny's building in Newport Retail Park in Spytty, according to plans submitted to Newport City Council last week.
The proposals, submitted by Montagu Evans LLP on behalf of Starbucks UK's franchise partner The Magic Bean Company, show the chain wants permission for a drive-thru lane and external alterations to the building, which has been empty since June 2020. At the time it was announced that a number of Frankie and Benny's sites - including Newport - would not reopen after lockdown due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The new Starbucks application comes just months after we took a look inside the first Greggs drive-thru in Wales when it opened back in January. It would be the second Starbucks in the retail park, adding to its existing shop across the road in Cineworld Spytty. It would be the fourth Starbucks in Newport and the second drive-thru in the city after the Port Road outlet in Maesglas. There is also an outlet in the Kingsway Shopping Centre.
According to the planning documents, alterations will be needed if plans are approved due to the building "falling into disrepair" since it was last occupied. Around 13 parking spaces will also be removed to allow for the drive-thru lane, with the applicants claiming this will "not result in any detrimental impact on the wider site operation." It is also estimated that around 20 new jobs will be created if the plans go through.
Newport Retail Park is already home to Newport's only major cinema - Cineworld Spytty Park - with its Friars Walk branch closed indefinitely after the pandemic, as well as the likes of Mark's and Spencer, Tesco Extra, New Look, Next and JD Sports.
