A NEW fast food restaurant is set to open on Brighton seafront.

Burger King is due to open a second city centre branch in Kings Road in April.

Work has already started to refit the site, which was previously Taste, next door to Buddies 24-hour diner.

However concerns have been raised that it may have a detrimental effect on independent chip shops and cafes on the seafront.

The new franchise will be run by the same franchisees who run the the city’s existing North Road branch of the fast food chain - but it is not connected to controversial plans for a Burger King on the corner of East Street.

Director of owners Leon Kennedy Ltd, Jason Kennedy told The Argus: “It is all systems go and we are looking forward to opening in April.”

We have got to rip out the interior and we are hoping to open for April.

It is a prime sight so we are ver excited. It is just the shopfitting that needs doing.

“There will be exterior seating and the whole ground floor.

“There is a basement to the property, but that will be used as a storage area.”

Theo Benedyk of commercial property agents Lewis Craig said they were “delighted” to have secured the deal on the 7,280 square foot site.

“We have been talking to Burger King for some time.

“Burger King now has the keys and work has started.”

Planning permission to change the use of the site from a restaurant to a late night fast food restaurant has been granted.

However the plans made no mention of the name of the proposed restaurant.

Only one objection to the plan was received, from neighbouring businessman Colin Burt, of the Rock Shop.

My Burt said: “Brighton is renowned for its small independent shops and restaurants. Allowing Burger King to the seafront will mean the end to everything we have at the moment.

“Trading is becoming harder but, until now, I expected to survive and be there in 20 years time. Taking the area from 39 Kings Road to 57 Kings Road we have four chip shops which employ around 30 people but will really struggle and will probably close.

“Then there is Buddies, again a small independent restaurant, but they will have no chance with a cheap fast

food restaurant next door. Another 20 jobs gone.”

Mr Burt urged the council to refuse the application and “keep the Brighton tradition of small independent

shops and restaurants and not allow this planning application”.

Plans for another Burger King in the former the Ancient Mariner pub proposed in 2015 sparked furious objections and a 12,0000 signature petition supported against the plans which were then shelved.