Sigiriya Sri Lankan restaurant wants to open Knutsford location

Award-winning restaurant Sigiriya, which already has a location in Hale, has submitted a planning application to change the use of the Martin's newsagents in Tatton Street.

Should the plans get approval from Cheshire East Council, the ground floor of the premises would become a licensed restaurant, with a private dining room on the first floor.

A design and access statement, submitted as part of the application, states: "At Sigiriya Restaurant, we want to create a second home for you.

"We provide fresh food, fantastic service and a warm welcoming environment which makes you want to come back for more.

"Our menu is comprised of 80 per cent Sri Lankan dishes, as we aim to give you the most authentic dining experience.

The Sigiriya restaurant in Hale

"Our incredible food comes in many varieties of colours and flavours.

"We blend hot Sri Lankan spices with cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and peppers, which are found in abundance throughout the Kandy and Matale districts of central Sri Lanka."

New jobs are expected to be created during the work to convert the newsagents and after once the restaurant opens.

The design and access statement added: "Employment created during the conversion and the future staffing of the business will create substantial full and part-time staffing requirements and also add to the local economy in the town to local suppliers.

"The applicant is an experienced operator and they have built up their restaurant in Hale into a successful business and this would be an expansion of this success, bring this brand of food to Knutsford."

Street parking for the restaurant would be available in Tatton Street, while several off-street car parks are within walking distance.

Sigiriya, which was launched in 2016, is owned by Colombo-born Don Buddhika, who has also managed the world-famous Jumeirah Beach restaurant in Dubai.

Cheshire East is aiming to make a decision on the plans by December 9.

To view and comment on the application, search reference 21/5285M on the council's online planning portal.