Five Guys set to open in Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park

Plans for  Five Guys to open in Horwich have been submitted to Bolton Council.

If approved the fast food outlet would open in Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park.

It will open in a gap between a row of four restaurant units on the Linkway at Middlebrook.

Five Guys, an American fast-food diner already has chains in Manchester and Trafford.

The proposal seeks to gain approval for the restaurant unit, addition of stairs and lift, amendments to parking and circulation, and expansion of an existing terrace area.

Cllr David Grant said: “Supporting local businesses amidst the arrival of Five Guys Restaurant at Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich I am a steadfast advocate for the prosperity and growth of our local community and welcome the news of Five Guys restaurant's opening at Middlebrook Retail Park.

"However, I also urge everyone to acknowledge the challenges faced by our small independent businesses on the high street.

“Middlebrook Retail Park has long been a hub of commercial activity, attracting visitors from near and far.

“The arrival of Five Guys, renowned for its delicious burgers and fries, undoubtedly adds to the vibrancy and variety of dining options available to our residents and visitors.

“It is a testament to the appeal and economic potential of our area, and I extend a warm welcome to Five Guys and with their sustainable and ethical ethos.”

Planning permission for a restaurant already existed for the unit but a new application was made which proposed a bigger space.

The developers say that this site will be well served with public transport links.

Five Guys are best known for their beef burgers with heaps of condiments and fillings included.

A statement from Five Guys said: "Five Guys was established in 1986 by the Murrell family in Virginia and launched in the UK in 2013, opening in Covent Garden on July 4.

Five Guys prides itself on using the freshest ingredients, and customers can find out which local farm the potatoes have come from by checking out the restaurant’s notice board.

"This results in delicious burgers and fries of the highest quality, burgers are grilled to order, whilst the fries are hand cut every morning and cooked in peanut oil to create a mouth-watering taste.

"Using fresh ingredients there are 250,000 possible combinations to order your burger at Five Guys as well as over 1,000 possible ways to customise your milkshake."

It will add to a leading chain of restaurants and big names already at Middlebrook such as Nando’s, McDonalds, and Bella Italia.

A statement on behalf of developers Orbital Investments said: “The unit would be located on the deck level and thus car parking spaces are lost, however Middlebrook has several thousand existing spaces for customers.

Bolton Council will make a decision by June 30 whether to approve the plan.