New store for pizza giant agreed despite fears it will put competitor out of business

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The pizza giant has been given permission to open a new store in the former Martin’s shop and post office in Bowthorpe’s Main Centre shopping precinct. 

The bid was approved by Norwich City Council despite pleas to turn it down by neighbouring businesses. 

Addressing Thursday’s planning committee, a speaker who runs a nearby takeaway argued against the plan. 

Eastern Daily Press: Martin's in Bowthorpe Main Centre (Image: Google Maps)Martin’s in Bowthorpe Main Centre (Image: Google Maps) (Image: Google Maps)

He said: “My takeaway shop is right next to this one.

“If they are allowed to open that means I will lose my bread and butter, Domino’s is a big chain so we cannot compete with them.” 

He said he would rather sell his own shop to the pizza giant than watch his business dwindle. 

A speaker on behalf of the applicant stressed that business competition was not a planning consideration and said the company had worked positively with the council to make the scheme acceptable. 

Bowthorpe councillor Peter Prinsley described himself as “depressed” to see another fast-food business open during “an obesity crisis”.

Council officials said the authority had no policies relating to healthy eating that would be a basis for rejection and Mr Prinsley voted in favour. 

The application was to convert the property from a shop into a takeaway, which required council approval. 

Eastern Daily Press: Domino's logoDomino’s logo (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich City Council planning officers accepted the plan would normally go against policy, with a set amount of retail units meant to be on the site. 

However, she said: “It is acceptable in this case to bring this vacant unit back into some sort of functioning use, to bring some employment back to the area.  

“It would serve a function that would enable the centre to continue to thrive.”  

The plans were approved with two councillors abstaining. 



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