KFC hopes to bring a new restaurant to a former bank branch in Potters Bar.

Hertsmere Borough Council has granted planning permission for a change of use at the former Halifax site at 112 Darkes Lane.

It means the former branch can become a chicken shop, less than 200 metres from the town’s railway station.

The Yorkshire-based bank announced it would leave Potters Bar two years ago – in summer 2021.

As part of the planning application, developers surveyed non-residential units in the Potters Bar town centre area.

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Out of 113 units, they found eight were vacant. Only 10 units were assessed as hot food takeaways.

“The proposed change of use would revitalise the primary shopping frontage, which cannot solely be provided by retail investment alone,” a planning statement reads.

“The included seating area encourages a more active use and it would naturally encourage a high level of footfall, acting as a stopping point within the natural progression along Darkes Lane.

“It would incorporate well with the retail frontage and would not detract from the overall retail image.”

Hertsmere Borough Council granted planning permission on August 4, 2023.

Among the planning conditions is a rule capping opening hours to 10am until midnight seven days each week, unless the franchised store can agree in writing new conditions with the council.

KFC already has a store in the Potters Bar area – at the A1(M) and M25 South Mimms services.

Darkes Lane is already home to several restaurants including a McDonald’s, a Wetherspoons, Aksular Turkish Restaurant and Harringtons Fish and Chips.