Planners Approve Change of Use for Italian Job Site
Thai takeaway restaurant hoping to open at the same address
The Italian Job on Devonshire Road. Picture: Ewan Munro
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Hounslow Council planners are recommending approval for a change of use at 13 Devonshire Road, the current location of the Italian Job, from a drinking establishment to a takeaway restaurant.
Despite a number of objections to the application including on the grounds of an excessive number of takeaways and the loss of ‘quirkiness and diversity’ on the street, borough planners decided the change would provide no harm to the conservation area or neighbouring properties.
This paves the way for the conversion of the premises into a branch of Camile Thai, a chain which describes itself as catering to vegan, dairy/gluten-free, and omnivore diets, and says it makes its sauces from scratch and use locally grown, grass fed Irish beef and pork, as well as local vegetables and herbs when in season.
The company, which was founded in Ireland, says it was the first in that country to switch to compostable delivery packaging. It has four restaurants in London, including Barnes, Battersea, Tooting Bex and Clapham.
A document submitted with the application argued that the ‘cultural value’ of a bar at the location was attributable to Pickwicks and the Italian Job ‘does not hold any social significance’ as well as not being listed as an Asset of Community Value.
The Italian Job was opened in 2015 on the site of what used to be Pickwicks claiming to be the UK's first Italian craft beer pub. It was associated with Parma based brewer Birrificio del Ducato and was the first bar to be opened in what currently is a chain of four. The popularity of craft beer had been increasing in Italy as well as the UK and the bar in W4 was a regular destination for many Chiswick locals including the large Italian community.
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September 29, 2021
