Clark’s Bakery is to create its first drive-thru after Dundee City Council reversed its decision to refuse permission.
Last year Clark’s owner Jonathon Clark said it was “sad” a local company had been denied a drive-thru.
Meanwhile multi-national Tim Horton had won permission for its drive-thru, after a Scottish Government appeal.
But Dundee City Council’s local review body has now given Clark’s drive-thru the green light.
A delighted Mr Clark said the decision would mean a £500,000 investment and the creation of 30 jobs.
It will be on a greenfield site on Fulton Road, off Myrekirk Road roundabout and near to Asda and Starbucks on the west end of the Kingsway.
Clark’s Bakery drive-thru menu plans
Mr Clark said his ambition is to have the drive-thru open at the start of 2023.
“We’re really excited to get going now and are working on the menu,” he said.
“It won’t be the full Clark’s range but a set hot and cold menu. The emphasis is on being fast and efficient. We might even do a breakfast menu that changes after 12.
“People will also still be able to come into the shop to order.”
The business owner is now in the process of obtaining building warrants. He wants to start construction as soon as possible.
Mr Clark said the £500,000 investment for the drive-thru was significant for Clark’s but essential after Covid-19.
“Initially I didn’t want a drive-thru – I was happy to stick with shops and what I know,” he said.
“But I’ve got to move with the times. People are either on an app getting food delivered to their door, doing a drive-thru or walking in – we need to have all three.
“With Covid you just don’t know what’s around the corner. It’s about allowing people to still be secure in their own environment.”
Reasons to approve
In the long-running planning saga, Clark’s was granted permission for a traditional shop on the site in June 2019.
Due to Covid-19, Clark’s also wanted to offer a drive-thru and resubmitted plans.
Dundee City Council refused the plans, highlighting concerns it would draw footfall away from the city centre and doesn’t minimise the need to travel by car.
But the council’s Local Review Body took a different position.
It said the former permission for the shop combined with jobs creation “weighed in favour of approving the application contrary to the Development Plan”.
The body said these factors outweigh concerns about the potential for more car use.
As part of the plans Clark’s will supply a bike hub that has a toolkit for cyclists for repairs.
