PLANS to transform the former Jarvis Radio shop in Christchurch High Street into Kelly’s Kitchen’s new premises have been submitted to planning officers.

Jarvis Radio, one of the longest running businesses in the town, shut up shop in June after 67 years’ trading in the High Street.

The Kellys who have fought a long battle with Dorset County Council to try and stay at their current location – 50 metres along the High Street from Jarvis Radio – have agreed to move out of their building by March next year.

Dorset County Council plans to extend the library into the restaurant with work due to finish by February 2013.

The application includes a change of use and external alterations to include an outside seating area.

A planning statement which accompanies the proposal said the moving of premises will result in no overall loss to the existing retail mix on the High Street.

It said: “Given that Kelly’s Kitchen has operated successfully from within the town centre and is a very-known local business. It is an integral part of the existing retail and commercial function of the High Street which has contributed greatly to the town’s vitality and viability over the last 19 years.

“The retention of a vibrant A3 use should be afforded great weight in these circumstances as such uses contribute to the footfall of the High Street.

“There can be no doubt that Kelly’s Kitchen has attracted people to Christchurch that would otherwise not visit and this knock-on effect to other business in the High Street is a key consideration.”

It adds: “A good many patrons of Kelly’s Kitchen are elderly and the relocation of the business to 55 High Street would enable those persons to continue to visit the town centre given the excellent bus links and ‘at table’ service that Kelly’s Kitchen would continue to offer all at ground-floor level.

“This type of service is unique in the town and is not replicated by competing ubiquitous restaurants.”