POPULAR Indian restaurant chain Mowgli is looking to open a new location in Knutsford.

Several planning applications have been submitted to Cheshire East Council seeking permission to convert the former Barclays bank at 85-87 King Street.

The premises has been vacant since 2021 and, if approved, the plans would see the street food restaurant operate on the ground floor of the building.

According to Mowgli's website, the chain is 'not about the intimate, hushed dining experience' but the 'smash and grab zing of healthy, light, virtuosic herbs and spices'.

A planning statement, prepared by Greyside Planning as part of the application, says: "The works will allow the property to be occupied by a well-respected restaurant provider and will not impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area.

"The proposal has been sensitively designed, responds well to its immediate environment and will provide a secure future use for the building.

"The proposed development is a positive intervention at the site and one which brings with it a sustainable, long-term solution for maximising the efficient re-use of this brownfield site."

Mowgli was founded by Nisha Katona, who gave up a 20-year career as a barrister to open her first location in Liverpool.

The chain now has locations across the UK in Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Birmingham and London, among others. The Knutsford restaurant would become the county's second, with its first at Cheshire Oaks in Ellesmere Port.

On Mowgli's website it says: "Nisha, a dedicated curry evangelist, has fond hopes for Mowgli’s growth and she still insists on hand picking curry virgins for her kitchens, hand-training each new Mowgli chef."

According to the plans, customers would still access the premises via the chamfered entrance at the junction of King Street and Malt Street.

The shopfront will be redecorated and a two-storey rear chimney extension will be erected with integrated kitchen extract flue equipment.
The upper floors, which are let as self-contained offices, are excluded from the application and will not be in use as part of the building's use as a restaurant.

For more details on the plans, search reference 23/0976M on the council's online planning portal.