A businessman is looking forward to providing an excellent venue and housing that the people of Houghton Regis will be proud.
A planning application has been granted for 12 one-bedroom flats at one end of the Dog and Duck pub car park.
Following the pre-Christmas planning decision by Central Bedfordshire Council, businessman Kishor Patel, who is well known locally for his work with Nisa convenience stores in the town, says his first priority is to get the bar and restaurant in Parkside opened up early in the year.
“It has been a very long process of more than two years,” said Mr Patel.
“Some people may have given up, but I believe strongly that the new bar and restaurant and the housing will all add value to the quality of living locally. Good local amenities add value to other properties, too.”
Work on the flats above the pub is now nearly completed, but Mr Patel hasn’t planned when work will start on the other flats. “Our first priority is to get the bar and restaurant opened up in early 2015,” he said.
Work in the bar and restaurant is nearly completed, which leaves fitting out. Discussions are taking place with suppliers to do this.
Mr Patel said: “Our chef is building a great team of people and a multi-cuisine menu. It is exciting to see it all taking shape at last.
“Externally the landscaping work has started with block paving, re-turfing, lighting, CCTV etc.
“I hope we have addressed all the concerns raised by Houghton Regis Town Council, but my door is always open if people have worries.”
In terms of the bar and restaurant, further details will be coming out shortly on the internal features and designs, the menu and an open day at the site.
The Dog and Duck is a 1970s/1980s-built structure sitting on 0.87 acres, with an ample 49 parking spaces in the plan, 12 for the dwellings, six for visitors and 31 for the pub/restaurant.
Mr Patel’s company has invested heavily in refurbishing the run down Dog and Duck, which is set to become a major quality asset, providing jobs and a venue the town will be proud of.