New KFC approved on Hankridge Farm Business Park in Taunton

Ropemaker Properties Ltd. applied in March to convert the Pizza Hut restaurant within the Hankridge Farm business park into a KFC outlet with a drive-thru facility.

The unit lies at the north-western edge of the Hankridge Farm site, near the Costa Coffee drive-thru and the PureGym outlet.

Somerset West and Taunton Council has now approved the proposals – though it is not clear when the existing Pizza Hut will close to allow work to take place.

KFC and Pizza Hut are owned by parent company Yum!, a PepsiCo subsidiary.

READ MORE: Pizza Hut responds to Hankridge Way KFC replacement rumours

A spokesman for Barton Willmore, representing the applicant, said the change was in response to shifting consumer habits as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

They said: “The owners of the retail park are currently looking to invest in the site, and consider that the diversification of uses creates an opportunity to improve the offer and experience at the retail park.

“The unprecedented situation presented by the covid-19 pandemic has brought about changes in demand and consumer habits.

“In light of this, retailers have been favouring the drive-thru format in recognition of their dual functionality, enabling the retailer to offer both restaurant format services as well as drive-thru capabilities.

“The occupation of the unit as a drive-thru restaurant will require alterations to the car park layout to the east of the site to accommodate the unit and to ensure there is no driver conflict or circulation issues, but the access to and from the site will be unchanged.”

Taunton already has one KFC outlet, on the A3027 East Street in the town centre – whose opening hours will not be affected by the new drive-thru.

To create the new drive-thru lane east of the existing building, seven parking spaces in that section of the Hankridge Farm car park will be sacrificed.

The applicant has not confirmed whether any new jobs will be created at the new KFC outlet.