Proposal for former store in Giffnock refused by planners

The application proposed the sub-division of two units on Braidholm Road in Giffnock and the change of one unit to a café.

The units were previously home to Frankie's which served customers for 50 years and shut two years ago.

A decision on the proposals, which received four objections, was issued by planners this week.

The planning application was submitted in June of this year and proposed the erection of a new internal partition between the two units.

A site inspection revealed that this has already been put in place.

Ian McNeill outside Frankie's in October 2022 (Image: Newsquest) The proposed floor plans showed seating and a kitchen area within one unit, together with an accessible WC and a WC and store in the other.

The planned café intended to predominantly cater for sit-in trade but with a small take-out provision and planned to serve speciality coffees, cold drinks, breakfast, brunch and lunch.

Those opposed to the plans outlined concerns over odours, a “lack of ventilation details”, noise, “inappropriate/inadequate refuse storage arrangements” and vehicle parking congestion.

Three reasons were listed for the refusal.

Planners said the loss of a street level class 1a retail unit has “the potential to adversely affect the viability and attractiveness of the Braidholm Neighbourhood Centre.

“On the basis of the submitted information the council as planning authority cannot be satisfied that there is no current or future demand for a class 1a retail use within the neighbourhood centre,” they added.

The planning authority also said they cannot not be satisfied that a class 3 café use would have an acceptable impact on the amenities of residential accommodation above the premises.

Furthermore, the submitted proposals were found to fail to demonstrate that adequate bin and waste storage facilities can be provided within the application site.

Ian McNeill outside Frankie's in October 2022 (Image: Newsquest) The local community was left shocked when Frankie's closed in 2022 amid claims a major Scottish Water project “killed” the business.

Speaking at the time, Ian McNeill, Frankie’s owner, said he had been forced to shut after he lost the majority of his passing trade due to the works and the resulting road closed signs and four-way traffic light system outside his premises.

In response to the closure, Scottish Water previously said: "We appreciate that there is inconvenience caused by these essential works to help reduce the risk of repeated internal sewer flooding for local householders although that will be far outweighed by the long-term benefits to the wider community.

"We will continue to work with local residents and business owners to help minimise any disruption for the duration of this major investment project."