A new 24-hour Wendy’s restaurant and drive-thru will open in Southport, creating up to 40 new jobs.
Wendy’s, which was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969, opened its first store in the UK in 2021.
It is now expanding, opening 40 UK stores, including sites in Kirkby and Bromborough.
The new Wendy’s eatery will replace the Imo Car Wash at Kew Retail Park on Scarisbrick New Road in Southport, following the demolition of the car wash.
A 24-hour, seven days a week operation is proposed. The new business would create up to 10 full-time and up to 30 part-time jobs.
Planning permission has now been granted by Sefton Council.
The application describes Wendy’s as “an employer which prides itself on providing a well-trained workforce”.
It adds that: “securing a new national operator and improving the quality of the environment will act as a catalyst for further investment.”
The Old Duke pub and restaurant is located directly opposite the site, with a newly-renovated McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant located to the north west of the site.
It is a further boost for Kew Retail Park in Southport which saw the official opening of the new 5,000 sq. ft Wren Kitchens & Bedrooms showroom, creating 14 new jobs, on Wednesday (22nd July 2026).
Kew Retail Park also saw the opening of a new 30,355 sq ft Wickes store in October, followed by a new 5,000 sq ft North West Air Ambulance charity superstore in November.
The retail park is now fully let.
Pre-application discussions over the new Wendy’s took place with Sefton Council in July 2025. It was concluded the proposal was acceptable in terms of land use.
The application was made by Custodian Property Income REIT plc with the submission drawn up by The Harris Partnership.
In the application, they said: “The proposed development and its location have been carefully selected to meet the operational requirements of the occupier, while also enhancing the economic performance of the wider retail park.
“By providing a complementary offer, the scheme will support the existing function of the retail park, increase consumer choice and encourage longer dwell times.
“This will help to maintain the site’s viability and reinforce its role as an edge-of-centre retail destination that supports the overall function of Southport as a retail centre.
“The proposed drive-thru will deliver a valuable and convenient facility for nearby commercial uses and the surrounding working population.
“The development represents the efficient use of previously developed land, removing an unattractive and disused building and replacing it with a high-quality, well-designed scheme set within landscaped grounds.
“These improvements will enhance the visual appearance and functionality of the site, while delivering wider benefits to the retail park and surrounding area.
“Securing a new national operator and improving the quality of the environment will also act as a catalyst for further investment.
“The proposal will directly create a range of permanent and temporary jobs for local people.
“Temporary jobs will be created through the construction of the new drive thru facility and once operational, between 30-40 full and part-time roles will be required to support the operation.
“Permanent jobs will be with an employer which prides itself on providing a well-trained workforce.
“When operating on a 24-hour seven days a week basis, the operator will employ between 30 and 40 full and part time employees, including Management and Team member roles. Part-time staff are usually students who are available for (and seek) more shifts in busier periods (for example during summer holidays).”
In terms of the site, they said: “This site benefits from its position on a major arterial route into Southport with several connecting roads, making it well-placed to serve the practical needs of the travelling public.”
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