Burger King is pursuing planning permission to open a new drive‑thru restaurant in the unit at Alexandra Retail Park that until last year was occupied by Starbucks. The coffee chain closed the site in October 2025, and the vacant building is now the subject of an application by BKUK Catering, listed as the applicant.
What the application says
The planning submission seeks a change of use for the existing drive‑thru from a coffee shop to a hot food takeaway and drive‑thru restaurant. The applicant’s statement describes the proposal as a reuse of an existing building and argues it will be acceptable in the retail park setting without altering external arrangements for parking, servicing or access.
"This application proposes a change of use from a drive‑thru coffee shop (Class E) to a drive‑thru hot food takeaway (sui generis)."
The supporting statement goes on to say the development would be "a highly sustainable form of development through the reuse of an existing building, making efficient use of previously developed land whilst strengthening the vitality and attractiveness of the retail park." It also notes the applicant expects the restaurant to create up to 29 jobs.
Concerns over location and policy
A key planning consideration highlighted in the documents is the site's proximity to Greenhill Academy, a primary school within walking distance of the retail park. National planning guidance on hot food takeaways is explicit: applications should be refused where premises are within walking distance of schools and not in a designated town centre, or where an existing concentration of such businesses could harm public health, increase pollution or encourage anti‑social behaviour.
Local residents and councillors will be able to review the application and representations when Oldham Council publishes the planning papers. The application materials state that no external changes are proposed, and that the current parking and access arrangements will remain. The applicant argues the change of use will not negatively affect surrounding amenity or the transport network.
- Applicant: BKUK Catering (Burger King UK parent company)
- Location: Former Starbucks drive‑thru, Alexandra Retail Park
- Jobs projected: Up to 29
- Key issue: Proximity to Greenhill Academy and national policy on takeaways near schools
What happens next
The planning process will determine whether the council accepts the applicant’s case that the change of use is acceptable in planning terms. Officers will assess the proposal against local and national policy, including public health considerations and highway impacts. If the council publishes the application for public comment, neighbours and interest groups can submit objections or support.
| Detail | Information from application |
|---|---|
| Previous occupant | Starbucks (closed Oct 2025) |
| Proposed use | Drive‑thru hot food takeaway (sui generis) |
| Employment impact | Up to 29 jobs |
For people who use Alexandra Retail Park — shoppers, school staff and parents at nearby Greenhill Academy, and drivers who use the site — the outcome will affect local choice of food outlets, patterns of traffic at peak times and the retail park’s offer. The council’s planning pages will hold the full application documents; anyone wishing to follow or comment on the proposal should look there for updates and instructions on how to make representations.
The proposal is a clear example of how changes in national retail strategies and closures feed into local planning decisions. Reusing the unit avoids new build, but the local implications — particularly the proximity to a school — mean the application may attract close attention from residents and regulators alike.
