AN American high street restaurant could be setting up shop in Accrington if plans are given the go-ahead.

The Papa John’s Pizza chain could become the latest addition to the Arndale Shopping Centre after an application was handed into Hyndburn Council requesting space to open up a new takeaway eaterie.

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If the proposal is approved, the restaurant would be located next to Burger King and the mall entrance inside the StrEAT food court.

This would involve the removal of the current noodle and pizza restaurant located on Units 23 and 25 of the mall, though access to the eating area would remain the same.

Britsch Designs commissioned the plans and its owner Andrew Britsch said there ‘doesn’t seem to be anything that could hold up the progress’.

Mr Britsch said: “At the moment all of progress is still in planning but should all things go to plan we are hoping to convert the pizza and noodle place at the Arndale Shopping Centre into a Papa John’s.

Lancashire Telegraph:

“There was a bit of confusion surrounding the rights of an A5 takeaway but as far as I’m aware there doesn’t seem to be anything that could hold up the progress.

“I’m working with Papa John’s and trying to finalise all of the paperwork and look forward to the next stage of the planning application.”

The chain, which is a pizza specialist, was founded in the USA in 1984 in Jefferson, Indiana.

There are no Papa John’s in East Lancashire that can deliver takeaway food and currently the closest ones are in Bolton or Rochdale.

Cllr Abdul Khan, who represents the Central ward, said: “I think you can’t ask for anything better for Accrington.

“When someone is willing to put money into the town and invest in Accrington then you can’t ask for anything more.”

A decision will be made by the council in the coming months.