Nando’s Chickenland Ltd has submitted plans to open a new restaurant in Welwyn Garden City town centre, bringing a popular chicken chain to the heart of the shopping district. The peri-peri chicken restaurant has applied to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council for permission to open at Unit 32, The Howard Centre on Howardsgate. If approved, the development would fill a long-vacant unit and could create new jobs in the area.
The Howard Centre unit was previously occupied by fashion retailers Dorothy Perkins and Burton, which closed following the collapse of the Arcadia Group in 2020. Nando’s proposals include plans for both indoor dining and an external terrace seating area with festoon lighting, as well as illuminated signage including a fascia sign, projecting sign, hanging sign, and menu box illuminated sign.
Local councillor Russ Platt has welcomed the proposal, saying it would bring more people and energy to the town centre. “Whether you are a peri-peri fan or not, in my view it’s great to see well known brands looking to come to WGC and bring footfall and life to our town centre,” he said on social media.
The planning applications are currently in the consultation period, with the public able to submit comments. The applications are being processed under references 6/2026/0450/FULL for the external terrace seating and 6/2026/0451/ADV for the advertising signage.
The proposed opening comes as Welwyn Garden City’s town centre is undergoing regeneration, with a £1.5 million improvement programme under way. The town centre has been described by its Business Improvement District as set for one of its most exciting years yet in 2026. The Howard Centre attracts more than 7.5 million visitors each year and sits adjacent to Welwyn Garden City railway station.
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