New plans to transform old Derby Pizza Hut and huge car park
A big-name car dealer has unveiled plans to create a massive new showroom at an old Derby Pizza Hut and its huge 634-space car park. Arnold Clark has submitted plans for a new car showroom and sales court at the vacant restaurant on Foresters Way, with the aim of attracting new people to the area.
The retailer has told the city’s planning officers of its plans to open what could be its first site in Derby if given the green light. Its closest showrooms are currently in Burton, Chesterfield and Nottingham.
If the plans get the go-ahead, the massive vacant car park could be filled with hundreds of cars available for purchase – potentially bringing thousands of visitors to the site, which has stood empty for some time.
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In 2021, it was reported that the Pizza Hut restaurant would close permanently. The building has remained empty since and is now covered in graffiti.
At the time, people spoke of their sadness about the closure as the building evoked childhood memories. Due to the size of the car park, it was also known as an ideal spot for learner drivers to practice manoeuvres.
Arnold Clark is proposing internal and external changes to the building. A detached workshop and valet building will also be constructed.
Planning documents, which were submitted to Derby City Council earlier this week, state a car wash will also be built on the site. It adds that customers arriving by car will use one of the site’s entrances to enter, while car transporters will use the other exit available.
There will be 397 car display spaces and extra spaces available for customers and staff parking. A decision is likely to be made later this year, but dates can be subject to change.
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The proposed car showroom development is in addition to the fresh plans to replace the “eyesore” Showcase Cinemas next door. Plans to create a new 66-bed care home on one part of the land and a number of restaurants on the other are being considered by Derby City Council.
The plans for the latter application could see a new Burger King (drive-through), Starbucks (drive-through) and a Greggs built.
Residents have long called for the former cinema to be replaced and have expressed disapproval about its current half-demolished appearance, calling it “ugly”.
There were plans to build a showroom at the site. But those plans were thrown up in the air when the council expressed concern that demolition started before planning permission was granted. Since then, the site has remained partly demolished and left abandoned.
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