New barbecue restaurant Smoked n Loaded coming to St John's

Smoked n Loaded will be opening a restaurant in St John's and are currently looking for staff.

The restaurant will open at the site of the former Spice Cuisine in Bromyard Terrace.

There is no date for opening yet but work is going on inside the curry house to turn it into the barbecue restaurant. 

A sign in the window said it would be selling pork belly, beef brisket, ribs, wings, loaded burgers and loaded fries.

St John's Councillor Richard Udall has welcomed the opening of the restaurant as he fights to keep retail in the area.

He is currently campaigning for the soon-to-close Co-op supermarket in The Bullring to retain some retail elements as it is earmarked to be turned into retirement flats.

READ MORE: Mystery buyer for soon-to-close Co-op St John's revealed

Cllr Udall said: "I’m pleased that the empty unit is being filled.

"I have recently received multiple enquiries from retailers and food establishments seeking premises in St John’s.

"The area is attracting new businesses and hopefully new trade.

"We need specialist establishments like this which will attract extra footfall to St John’s.

"I wish them every success and I’m looking forward to sampling their menu."

The Co-op supermarket is set to close on Saturday, April 9 after over 130 years in the area.

A spokesperson for Co-op said the closure "is in no way a reflection on the commitment and hard work of colleagues, who have been informed and who are being fully supported."

Gladman Retirement Living, under Adlington Retirement Living, plan to transform the supermarket building into a retirement village.

OPENING SOON: Smoked n Loaded in St John's

A spokesman for Gladman Retirement Living and Adlington Retirement Living said: "Gladman Retirement Living Ltd intend to submit a planning application for the redevelopment of the site in the coming months, with a pre-application public consultation with local residents and businesses due to be announced shortly.

"The proposal will be for retirement apartments with care, with a 24 hour staff presence and extensive communal facilities."

Cllr Udall has been pushing for a section of the store to remain as retail and commercial to boost businesses in St John's.

He said: "We need new destination and specialist retail in St John's, this could create an opportunity to secure some retail space, attract new retailers and have a shared residential use."