Major plans WITHDRAWN to transform part of car park at Northampton retail park into modern food court
Major plans have been WITHDRAWN to transform part of a car park at a Northampton retail park into a modern food court made up of nine small restaurant units.
The proposal could have seen a row of compact kitchens, known as “Podz”, installed at St Peter’s Retail Park, each serving a different style of cuisine.
A central covered seating area was planned to serve all nine units, with shared tables, planting, lighting and customer bins, according to plans submitted by the site’s owners The Northhold Group.
Planning papers, submitted in June, said: “It is proposed to bring a modern new form of food court to St Peter’s Square comprising individual units known as ‘Podz’, each containing a different kitchen and style of cuisine.”
The food court would have opened from 9am to 11pm from Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm on Sundays and was expected to create around 64 jobs, according to plans.
Each kitchen was planned to be leased to individual food operators, although a single business could run more than one unit. A small on-site building was also proposed to provide staff toilets and an office for a site supervisor and cleaner.
The proposed site would have taken up 57 car parking spaces – around 20 per cent of the total at the park. A Northhold Group spokesman said this won’t affect shoppers or other businesses, stating: “The existing car park is under-utilised … the proposed food court will occupy the western end of the car park … the least well-used part.”
The owners added: “The proposed development will make use of an under-utilised part of an existing car park. It will not have an adverse effect on residential properties and will contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre economy.”
However, despite the detailed plans, they have this month (December) been withdrawn by the Northold Group for reasons not yet known. The company has been contacted for comment.
The plans had the backing of Northampton Town Councilm, which said: “The committee is of the opinion that this proposal will enhance the town centre. It will utilise an underused space and create a social area and supports the general regeneration of the town centre.”
West Northamptonshire Council said in October that the developer must dig a small number of test holes on the site before building work can start, to check what is in the ground and whether anything of archaeological importance could be affected.
A spokeswoman said: “No development shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the planning authority.”
St Peter’s Square was bought by investment firm Northhold Group in early 2023 from DTZ Investors. One of its first moves was to cancel the controversial NCP parking contract.
Current tenants now at the retail park include Argos, The Food Warehouse, Home Bargains, Pure Gym, Urgent 365, Umrah Supermarket, and a private dentist.