A RESTAURANT must be allowed to serve takeaway food to compete with the big brands in BH2, owners claim.

Charlies Chicken, at 21 Exeter Road, Bournemouth, has been granted planning permission for the change. The local firm has other outlets in Broadstone, Kinson and Parkstone.

A planning statement prepared by David Bevan of HLF Planning says: "This area of the town centre has been saturated by the influx of restaurants/bars in the new complex known as BH2.

"The impact on local business in the same trade has inevitably been severe."

It says the previous business on the site was "operating to survive by serving alcohol" and, under the new plans, Charlies Chicken will "introduce a healthier menu of food and will also relinquish the current liquor licence to bring a true alternative to this part of the town centre".

The council has imposed conditions that the venue may only serve takeaway food up until 1am, or midnight on Sundays, and food may only be "steam roasted or chargrilled", not "deep fried" without written permission.

Charlies Chicken will also need permission from the borough licensing board.