Former Frankie & Benny's may become EV charging hub

The Frankie and Benny's restaurant, which closed in 2023, could become an EV charging station

A disused chain restaurant could be transformed into a drive-through eatery and electric vehicle (EV) charging station.

BP Pulse submitted plans for a former Frankie & Benny's site in Norfolk.

Proposals submitted to Great Yarmouth Borough Council showed the scheme contained 12 charging points, and 22 spaces without EV chargers.

It would require a plant room to be demolished and a service road to be installed for the drive-through. The application will be determined by planners later in the year.

The plans show 12 EV charging points and a new road built around the former restaurant to create a drive-through.

The site, which was last used by the restaurant brand, closed in July 2023 when the company shut 35 branches.

According to the documents, it would take between 20 minutes and 30 minutes to charge vehicles.

It also said the plan would help the UK meet government targets to create more EV charging points.

In addition to the proposal by BP Pulse, other charging points already exist in the car park of the adjacent pub, The Grayling.

No details of the drive-through operator have been revealed in the application, although a KFC drive-through is sited nearby and McDonalds already has two drive-through restaurants in the town.