A NEW Domino’s pizza takeaway is not needed in Wallingford, town and business leaders have said.

The chain has applied for planning permission to open a new branch in the former Stan James bookmakers in High Street.

The company wrote in its application to South Oxfordshire District Council that the eatery would “benefit local economy and community”.

But Wallingford town councillor Rita Kemp said: “I would love Wallingford to go back to the way it used to be, a wonderful historic town preserving what we have, rather than become such a huge town with chain after chain, looking like every other high street.”

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Elaine Hornsby, who runs gift shop First Edition and leads Wallingford in Business chamber of commerce, said: “We already have a Pizza Express and The Pizza Cafe. We probably didn’t need another pizza restaurant.”

She joked: “Wallingford is going to be renamed Pizza Land.”

Wallingford Town Council said it had “no strong views” on the scheme.

Yet councillors were concerned customers and drivers would park on the roadside or pavement in front of the shop, which has double yellow lines. But Domino’s told the council: “For call-by customers, off-street parking is available in the Waitrose car park on the opposite side of the road.”

It continued: “The provision of a pizza takeaway facility will widen customer choice and better meet the needs of the whole local community.

“There are double yellow lines along the High Street prohibiting parking throughout the day and night. Consequently, there will be no impact upon the free flow of traffic along the High Street.”

The district council is due to make a decision on the application by January 7.



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