WAGAMAMA in Festival Place is to expand after plans were approved by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The application was submitted on behalf of the Japanese restaurant chain on April 29.

The plans propose the extension of the Festival Place unit by incorporating the space which currently houses the shopping centre's cycle storage into the restaurant. 

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The place currently used for bike storageThe current location for bike storage (Image: Google)

The space will be used to build more seating inside the establishment with at least two new eight-seater tables and one six-seater table, as well as provide more space outdoors for customers to enjoy their meals.

The plans will see the storage for bicycles moved to another location outside the shopping centre, situated next to the ramp for the car park. 

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said that they had 'no objections to the proposals' as the cycle storage will be 're-provided elsewhere'.

The decision was granted by the borough council on Friday, August 9, subject to the condition that the 'cycle provision' is relocated.

Another application submitted on behalf of Wagamama also on April 29, asks the council for permission to install two illuminated signs on the outside of the unit. 

One of the signs will show the outline of a boy sipping from a bowl, a recreation of the restaurant's iconic photo, whilst the other will see a larger sign displaying the name of the chain in spaced-out letters.

The plans for the signage were also approved by the borough council on August 9.