Global fast food chain KFC is bidding to open its second restaurant in Carlisle.

The firm, which already operates a store in The Lanes Shopping Centre, has put forward plans to open a new drive-through restaurant on the site of the former Esso petrol station - known as Harraby Green service station - off London Road.

If approved, the chain says that the new eatery would create between 45 and 50 jobs, with staff employed on both a full-time and part-time basis.

A planning statement says that the construction phase of the project will see an investment of "circa £1.8m", with about 140 direct construction jobs generated - comprising around 90 on site and 50 off-site positions.

It adds: "The average KFC restaurant generates £77,000 per annum business rates.
The Harraby Green Service Station, London Road, when it was in operation

"This will be a significant uplift for the local authority over the previous £27,000 rateable value assessment as a petrol filling station."

The application comes just months after McDonald's revealed plans to open a second drive-through restaurant off London Road - opposite the old Railway Inn pub and on the J And W Watt Ltd Goods Yard, next to Trevor Street.

A design and access statement, written by Leeds-based HTC Architects and submitted as part of the application to Carlisle City Council, states: "The proposed KFC has a gross internal area of 285 sq m.

"The restaurant area will provide for 71 covers in a publicly accessible area of 72 sq m. There are to be 25 car parking spaces of which two will be for disabled users, three will be staff car spaces and two will be 'grill bay' spaces accesible only via the drive through lane."

With regards to accessing the site, the statement adds: "The proposal is to close of the existing petrol station accesses from London Road and relocate the main restaurant/drive through access off Petteril Terrace meaning that all vehicles accessing and leaving the restaurant will use the existing junction with London Road.

"There will be no vehicular access into the development directly off London Road."