Nando’s is coming to Torbay at last!

RESTAURANT chain Nando’s is coming to Torbay – at last.

After years of rumours and false starts at various locations around the bay, the chain which is reputed to be the most-searched brand name in Britain is coming to Paignton.

Torbay Council’s planning officers have said yes to the chain moving to the Devonshire Retail Park at White Rock without the application having gone before the planning committee.

The application generated just two comments on the council’s website, both in favour.

One said: “It would be a great addition to the area. There have been teasers for a Nando’s in the bay for many years so if this does go ahead, it would make a lot of people very happy.”

The other added: “The area is desperately short of places for residents and the college students to eat, that is not a coffee shop. Whilst Nando’s is not high end, and personally not my thing, I see this will provide a much-needed outlet.

“More restaurants are needed in this area.”

Nando’s is a South African multinational restaurant chain specialising in flame-grilled chicken. Founded in 1987 in Johannesburg, the company has grown into a global brand, operating more than 1,200 restaurants in more than 30 countries, including 473 in the UK.

Exeter and Plymouth have two Nando’s each.

For years there has been speculation on social media every time a new retail development is built in Torbay that it will contain a Nando’s. The chain has a massive following, particularly among ‘Gen Z’ and younger diners aged from 25 to 34.

The application goes on: “Nando’s has identified a requirement for representation within the Paignton area. Currently, the closest Nando’s restaurants to the site are some 32km away in Marsh Barton and 34.5km away in Princesshay. Neither restaurant will be negatively impacted.”

It also says the development will create up to 45 jobs.

The site is currently an open plaza with seating and planters at the eastern end of Devonshire Park between the Food Warehouse and Costa Coffee, an area which was always earmarked for another business unit to be built.

It has a large car park and is close to a number of housing developments as well as the ring road and South Devon College.

The footprint of the building will be curved to mirror the existing form of the buildings around it. It will be single-storey, flat-roofed and largely glazed, according to the documents.

Council officers say it is an urban brownfield site in an existing retail park

The land is owned by the BBC Pension Trust, which says in its application: “The application proposes a restaurant to be occupied by Nando’s.

“The development will ensure the long-term use of currently under-utilised parcel of land within an established retail park, providing a productive economic use that will benefit both the retail park and wider surrounding area.”