Frankie and Benny’s plans for Waterside

Planners have received an application to open a Frankie and Benny’s bar and restaurant at the Crescent Link Retail Park.

The only other Frankie and Benny’s outlet in Northern Ireland is in the food hall of the Victoria Square centre in Belfast.

The application is for a: “Proposed Frankie and Benny’s restaurant, new and re-aligned parking and associated site works.”

The chain has over 180 restaurants across the United Kingdom.

Owners of the brand the Restaurant Group recently said it was likely to beat market expectations for 2010 in spite of “unusually harsh weather” in November and December.

Equally, the firm announced recently it would open 22-27 new eateries this year, two-thirds of which will be Frankie & Benny’s venues.

Should the plans come to fruition Frankie and Benny’s will join recent additions to the Retail Park Next Home, Mothercare and Dreams, with Boots and ASDA also planning to open outlets there.