Latest news with #NicholasPerkins
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Solar panels approved in countryside at Llantilio Crossenny
Nicholas Perkins applied for planning permission to place eight rows of nine panels in an agricultural field in the open countryside beside his Park Cottage home at Llantilio Crossenny, north of Raglan. Each panel will be 1.72m high and 1.13m wide making a total area for the array 140 square metres. The panels will be in frames 1.23m off the ground at their greatest point. The site is within the open countryside where development is strictly controlled but Monmouthshire County Council planning officer Helen Etherington said Welsh policy requires renewable energy generation is accommodated and should ensure residents can 'obtain a higher proportion of their energy needs from local renewable sources'. Ms Ethertington also said the application doesn't pose an unacceptable impact on the landscape, townscape or historic features, biodiversity, amenities of nearby residents, the wider environment or Monmouthshire's distinct identity which could have led to a refusal. Her reoport stated: 'The array will supplement the existing power requirements for the main dwelling of Park Cottage and surrounding holiday lets. The principle of renewable energy installations is supported by policy and therefore the proposal is deemed acceptable subject to consideration of visual impact.' READ MORE: Monmouthshire: No outright opposition to solar farms Whitecastle Community Council recommended the application be approved and there were no objections from any statutory agencies and none from members of the public. The array will be nearly 200m from the nearest neighbouring property at an angle that the panels will not be facing the neighbour's property. A condition will require the land is returned to its current condition within two months of it no longer being required for generating electricity or 25 years from the date of the permission, whichever is sooner.
South Wales Argus
13-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire Council planning applications under review
Abergavenny property to potentially change use A property in Abergavenny could see a change of use, including the incorporation of land to the west of the site. Miss Emma White, of Gunter Way, Abergavenny, has applied to change the use of the area, which also includes plans for a shed and alterations to the garden layout. The application was validated on May 2 and is currently under consideration. No agent has been listed for the planning permission application. Ground-mounted photovoltaic panels in Llantilio Crossenny In Llantilio Crossenny, an application has been submitted for the installation of ground-mounted photovoltaic panels in an agricultural field. This application, submitted by Mr Nicholas Perkins of Park Cottage, was validated on April 24 and is also under consideration. The application does not list an agent for the planning permission. Potential wider access in Llanfoist Fawr and Govilon Elsewhere, a property in Llanfoist Fawr and Govilon could see its access widened. The application was submitted by Mr Martin Phillips and was validated on May 1. This application for the property, called Rainbow House and situated on Merthyr Road, is currently under consideration, with no agent listed for the householder application. Tree height reduction in Llanarth In Llanarth, an application has been submitted to reduce the top height of a multi-stemmed Western red cedar by a maximum of 30 per cent. The application was submitted by Mrs Claire Williams of Bettws Mount Bungalow and was validated on May 6. The application lists Mr Scott Walker of Dennis Walker & Son Tree Services as the agent and is currently under consideration. Proposed first-floor balcony in Gobion Fawr Elsewhere, a proposed first-floor balcony to the rear of the main house is under consideration in Gobion Fawr. The application, submitted by Mrs Aman Carter of Coed Park, was validated on April 30 and is currently under consideration. Mr Dudley Hill of Keystone Structural Engineering is listed as the agent for the householder application. Proposed two-bay extensions to machinery store in Gobion Fawr Also in Gobion Fawr, an agricultural notification has been submitted for proposed two-bay extensions to either end of an existing machinery store. The application was submitted by Mr J Barnes of Duffryn Farm and was validated on April 30. The application lists Mr James Griffiths of Griffiths Design Limited as the agent and is currently under consideration. Potential new shed in Mitchel Troy In Mitchel Troy, an application for a new shed alongside an existing shed has been submitted. The application was submitted by Mr Ivor Jones of Whitehouse Farm and was validated on May 1. This agricultural notification is currently under consideration, with no agent listed. Proposed lawful use or development in Mitchel Troy Also in Mitchel Troy, a certificate of proposed lawful use or development has been submitted for a new access and gate into an existing garden at Langstone House. The application was submitted by Mr and Mrs Camp of Langstone House and was validated on May 2. Sarah Browne Architect is listed as the agent and the application is currently under consideration. Property changes in Goetre Fawr In Goetre Fawr, a certificate of proposed lawful use or development has been submitted for moving a recessed front door to flush with the front elevation, enlarging two ground-floor windows, replacing an existing tarmac driveway, and erecting a driveway gate and hedge. The application was submitted by Miss Harriet Weaver of Ty Bryth and was validated on May 6. This application is currently under consideration, with no agent listed. HMP Prescoed plans in Llanbadoc and Usk In Llanbadoc and Usk, a full planning application has been submitted for the installation of a generator, plant, and associated works at HMP Prescoed Young Offenders Institution. The application was submitted by the Ministry of Justice and was validated on April 23. Mr Geraint Jones of Asbri Planning Ltd. is listed as the agent and the application is currently under consideration. Residents and interested parties can view and comment on the applications by visiting Monmouthshire County Council's planning portal.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Once-Struggling Burger Chains That Are Making A Comeback
The past few years have been pretty brutal for the restaurant industry. Many businesses struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic, and even as the world reopened, countless restaurants never made a full recovery. Add to that the challenges of inflation, rising food costs, and shifting consumer habits, and it becomes clear why even long-standing establishments have had a hard time surviving. Burger chains, in particular, face a unique challenge. As one of America's most beloved foods, the demand for burgers has never wavered — but neither has the competition. With fast food giants, trendy smash burger joints, and gourmet burger eateries all vying for customers, standing out in an oversaturated market is no easy feat. Some burger chains that once flourished hit rough patches in recent years, closing locations or declaring bankruptcy. Despite these challenges, many formerly struggling restaurants are making impressive comebacks, and burger chains are no exception. In 2025, when burger chain closures are becoming the norm, it's refreshing to see these once-struggling burger brands bouncing back — hopefully, for good. Read more: Popular Culver's Menu Items, Ranked Worst To Best For years, Fuddruckers was a staple of the American burger scene, known for its build-your-own burgers and family-friendly atmosphere. At its peak, the chain boasted over 100 locations, but financial struggles and changing consumer preferences led to a sharp decline. Many of its restaurants shut down, and by 2022, the situation intensified when its parent company, Luby's Inc., fully dissolved, forcing Fuddruckers into an uncertain future. For a while, it seemed like Fuddruckers might disappear entirely, another casualty of the current challenging dining landscape. However, after much turbulence, Fuddruckers is making a comeback. The brand is slowly expanding again, returning to neighborhoods it once left behind, thanks in part to Nicholas Perkins, who acquired the franchise after Luby's downfall. The businessman is committed to the revitalizing the restaurant, sharing with Nation's Restaurant News in 2021, "I believe there are good hamburgers out there, but I don't believe there's a hamburger greater than what we serve ... I feel like I have the skill set to transition the brand to greater heights." The company's latest success has been the opening of the Washington D.C. Chinatown location, which had previously shut down in 2017 after fiscal concerns. The resurgence is fueled by a renewed focus on quality and nostalgia, drawing back longtime fans while appealing to a new generation of burger lovers. It's no secret that Burger King is a household name in the U.S., but even the biggest brands aren't immune to setbacks. In 2023, the fast food giant made the tough call to close around 300 restaurants, trimming underperforming locations to stabilize the business. While this could have signaled a downward spiral, the strategy paid off, and by 2024, closures slowed, and sales began to rise. Now, Burger King is doubling down on its comeback with impressive changes, including major renovation plans and new combo meal offerings, showing a clear commitment to reinvesting in the brand and winning back customers. Even before its renewed momentum, Burger King was still far from failure. It consistently ranks among the top three burger chains in the U.S., alongside McDonald's and Wendy's. Not to mention, the company's fresh efforts are starting to pay off. The last quarter of 2024 showed 1.5% growth according to data from QSR, with anticipation for 2025 to be an even stronger year, proving that Burger King's strategy of store upgrades and menu innovation is resonating with customers. Shake Shack may have built a cult following with its high-quality burgers, dippable cheese sauce, and frothy shakes, but this fan-favorite chain wasn't spared from the financial turmoil of the pandemic. Even after shifting focus to a takeaway model, sales plummeted by 29% in 2020, forcing the company to cut 20% of its corporate staff. While Shake Shack didn't resort to mass closures like some of its competitors, it struggled to maintain profitability in the years that followed. In 2022, staffing shortages remained a persistent issue even after increasing pay to about $20 per hour. Luckily, by the end of 2022, total revenue was up by a healthy 17.5%, though shares simultaneously dipped by $0.05 (via Restaurant Business). Now, after years of highs and lows, Shake Shack is proving it still has plenty of fight left. In 2024, revenue jumped 14.8% compared to the previous year, and in January 2025, the company projected revenue increases between 16% and 18%. Even with its expanded footprint, Shake Shack still lags behind burger giants like McDonald's and Burger King in the sheer number of locations, but the recent uptick in sales suggests Shake Shack is setting the stage for an even stronger presence in the burger industry. Back Yard Burgers has experienced a rough road, declaring bankruptcy not once but twice in about a decade. The first bankruptcy came in 2012 after years of struggling with declining sales and increased competition. Though the company was able to restructure and continue operations, it never fully regained its footing. By 2023, Back Yard Burgers once again found itself in financial distress, filing for bankruptcy due to mounting debt and continuous closed locations. At the time of filing, the company had anywhere between $1 and $10 million in assets, with $10.9 million of secured debt and over $185,000 in credit card debt. With such serious numbers, the brand, known for its flame-grilled burgers and premium ingredients, ran the risk of disappearing altogether. However, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the chain emerged from bankruptcy, signaling the start of yet another attempt at a turnaround. Now, with a fresh start in 2025, Back Yard Burgers has a chance to rebuild, but this is just the start of the chain's comeback. With just seven remaining locations, the company has yet to unveil major expansion plans. Its focus will likely be on refining its menu and potentially re-entering markets where it previously closed stores. If it can differentiate itself in an increasingly crowded fast food landscape, Back Yard Burgers may just prove that it still has a place in the industry. Read the original article on Mashed.
