PLANS have been lodged to convert a former gift shop in the Lake District back to part of a fish and chip takeaway in a bid to ‘make the best use of the available space’.

Staveley Chippy has submitted a planning application to the Lake District National Park Authority to convert the former Fine and Dandy gift shop on Main Street in Staveley into part of the fish and chip shop.

Planning documents state the current owner took over the takeaway in 2020 and has since ‘worked tirelessly’ to build a reputation for providing a ‘quality’ product.

The former gift shop was previously part of Staveley Chippy.

Planning documents submitted by the applicant state: “Before the bypass was built, it was regarded by many as the ‘go to’ stop on the way in and out of the Lake District, popular with locals and tourists alike.

“Those days are gone but I do hope that by putting this application in, I can once again bring the whole ground floor of the building in the same control and therefore, the same use.

“I hope to restore the access between the two premises (which still remains, though currently blocked) and to make the best use of the available space, further building on the success of the business and being able to better serve our community.”

The Lake District National Park Authority are yet to make a decision on this application.