RESTAURANT chain Bill’s looks set to open a branch at Clarks Village in Street.

A planning application has been submitted to Somerset Council by Pegasus Group, on behalf of Bill’s Restaurant Ltd, for signage at Unit 37b of the outlet shopping centre.

Formerly Frankie and Benny’s, the vacant unit looks set to house a Bill’s Café Bar and the application relates to signs and the outdoor seating area.

“This application seeks permission for the placement of different furniture,” it said. “The seating area is bordered by proposed metal coated planters and potted trees to create an attractive outdoor dining area.

“Jumbrella parasols are proposed for the seating area. Menu casings to the unit entrance are also proposed.

“In terms of advertisements, the application seeks permission for new signage above the restaurant frontage. Illuminated brass lettering is proposed.”

The venue would join the likes of recently-opened restaurants Slim Chickens and Wagamama’s at the Street venue.

Bill’s previously took steps into Somerset when it opened a restaurant in Taunton, in 2015. However, the branch struggled to return to full opening after shutting in March 2020, during the Covid pandemic.

Other branches in the south west include in Exeter and Bath, with another at the Gloucester Quays development. There is also a Bill’s in Southampton, Hampshire.

The chain started with a single greengrocers in Lewes, East Sussex, opened by Bill Collison in 2001. In 2020, it boasted 78 branches in the UK, down from 81 in 2018, but has since embarked on another expansion.

How the Bill’s Café Bar lat Clark’s Village in Street could look. Picture: Pegasus/Somerset Council

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