Major work begins on old Frankie & Benny's Ravenswood site

Workers have been seen at the former Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito sites in Ravenswood on Edith Way.

Fences have been put up around the permitter while work is undertaken to take everything out of the building and get the site ready ahead of them being turned into drive-thru restaurants.

Skips and heavy duty vehicles are currently on site as furniture and kitchen appliances are removed from inside the buildings.

Work is being undertaken on the site (Image: Tom Cann)

The two restaurants have been closed since August 2023, with new buyers taking over the site in September last year.

In April this year, plans were submitted to convert the buildings so they can accommodate a drive-thru lane each, and alter the car park so it can cater for electric vehicle charging.

As part of the work, the car park would reduce in size from 95 bays to 20 electric parking bays and 47 normal parking bays.

Work is being undertaken on the site (Image: Tom Cann)

Following a site visit in early June, the officer inspecting the site found that there was "clearly a need for more EV charging points" and with the continued use as restaurants, albeit with drive-thru lanes, it is "in keeping with the approved use of the site."

In June, Ipswich Borough Council approved these plans with some residents suggesting McDonald's would be better suited in one of the units rather than across the road.

It is not yes known which restaurants will be opening in the two units, with the area already playing host to a number of eateries such as McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, Toby Carvery, Harvester, Burger King, Nando's and Costa Coffee.

The former Frankie & Benny's building with work being done on it (Image: Tom Cann)