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The Ivy has revealed dramatic rehashed plans in its bid to transform a former Burton into a luxury restaurant.
The chain, popular with celebrities, previously looked set to build a rooftop dining venue on the dilapidated Canterbury building.
But the firm now plans to transform the whole site, situated on the corner of Rose Lane and The Parade, into a high-end restaurant.
The Ivy’s holding firm Troia UK told Canterbury City Council in official papers its venues “contribute to the vitality and viability” of locations “throughout the day and into the night time”.
“Troia are looking to significantly improve the overall appearance of this building and bring this new restaurant offer into Canterbury”, bosses say.
“Troia proposes to bring The Ivy Brasserie to this building. The Ivy Brasserie will open seven days a week and will offer a full service from breakfast through to dinner.
“Each restaurant within The Ivy Collection is designed to deliver a memorable experience that is synonymous with The Ivy’s unique style.”
Original plans put forward in April last year laid down plans for a rooftop restaurant boasting views of the city and its cathedral.
But proposals for the former clothes store, which also housed Burton, were officially withdrawn this week.
In rehashed plans the ground floor will host the bulk of the proposed 140 interior seats along with 32 al-fresco covers on both The Parade and Rose Lane, with the kitchen and a private dining room on the first floor.
The new venue now also obtained permission from the authority to open from 8am to 12.30 am seven days a week, with alcohol served from 10am to midnight.
It comes as an extensive 21-week renovation on the prominent property continues.
Carried out by Nexus and Construction Safety Solutions, the operation beginning on April 15 will see the site prepped in anticipation of the arrival of the restaurant.
A fit-out of the basement, ground and first floors of the site will be carried out with a kitchen and bars added, along with signage if approved as part of the new application.
Alongside this will be the heating, ventilation and air condition systems with plant – heavy machinery and large equipment – on the second floor and the flat roof.
The building falls into a conservation area, meaning external alterations, such as new windows and doors, require the council’s seal of approval.
However, as the building is not listed, internal works would not need to be vetted by officers.
The arrival of The Ivy - where The Ivy burger costs £16.95 and lobster linguine £34.95 - would be a dramatic change for the prominent building.
Since Burton and Dorothy Perkins closed, the ground floor has played host to a series of pop-up shops and smaller businesses, with many residents complaining it has become a city centre eyesore.
It comes after plans were lodged last year to convert the upper two storeys of the building into a restaurant catering for more than 300 people, with a rooftop terrace.
The proposals also included three new retail units on the ground floor, some of which are currently being offered out by chartered surveyors Smith Price RRG.
First opening in 1917 in London’s West End, the Ivy now has 40 locations across Great Britain and Ireland, with new chains coming under the Ivy Collection name.
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The Canterbury branch would be the second in Kent, with one already established in Tunbridge Wells.
The Canterbury building was acquired by Arora Family through Sloane Realty, a subsidiary of the firm, in February 2021 for about £2.15 million.
Both The Ivy and Arora Family have been contacted via email for comment.