Domino effect for Irvine pizza plans

Jan 9 2009 by Eric McGowan, Irvine Herald

IRVINE missed out on 30 new jobs after councillors knocked backed Domino’s Pizza’s plans for a takeaway in the new East Road Retail development.

The blow was revealed this week as the fast food giant vowed to come back to the table with a new set of proposals.

Councillors voted to refuse Domino’s planning permission before the Christmas break after listening to neighbour’s concerns about late night noise and potential smell coming from the takeaway.

They also ruled it would have a detrimental effect on traffic and pedestrian safety.

This week, Lisa Tobias, the prospective franchisee, said she was “devastated” by the decision.

Lisa, a former gymnast with the Scottish National team, already runs four successful branches and would have become the most successful female Domino’s franchisee in the world had Irvine been given the green light.

She said: “I was really looking forward to opening my fifth store and was ready to recruit. I have to say it was really surprised by the grounds of refusal.

“We are not like other fast food outlets – we don’t use fryers so there is no smell and our staff are trained to be respectful to nearby residents.

“We had no problems with our outlets in Ayr and Kilmarnock but I’m sure in the long run this will prove to be just a blip along the way.

“We will definitely be submitting new plans as we are determined to come to Irvine. There is a definite demand for a Domino’s Pizza in the town.”

Planners had recommended the proposal get the go ahead but Irvine West councillor Ian Councillor raised an amendment calling for the takeaway plans to be thrown out.

He was backed by councillors Robert Barr, Matt Brown, John Ferguson, Ronnie McNicol, Pat McPhee and Provost Bobby Rae which was enough to beat the votes of councillors Elizabeth McLardy, Margie Currie John Moffat and David Munn.