Those behind plans to open a fast-food restaurant in a historic part of Canterbury have defended their vision.

Four friends want to launch a branch of national chain Wraps and Wings in an empty unit next to the King’s School in Palace Street.

Vaqas Farook and his co-directors are seeking planning permission for their “casual and high-end” restaurant and takeaway - but the proposals have sparked fears about safeguarding the city’s heritage.

Bosses want to launch it in a unit which neighbours the school entrance and is just a few doors down from the famous Crooked House.

Some people against the idea said it was a totally inappropriate location for a takeaway.

However, the London-based bosses at Wraps and Wings say the new eatery will be sympathetic to the surrounding area and blend in well with neighbouring businesses.

“We’re not going to be demolishing things - we’re going to be keeping the heritage of the area,” Mr Farook said.

“The history means a lot to us and we are the right people to uphold that.

“The only changes needed are to remove a chimney stack to put in an extraction flue.

“At the start of the planning process, we organised a meeting with the bursar and deputy head of Kings School to outline our plans and to keep the channel of communication open in case of any concerns.

“We’ll have a garden - it’ll be a very chilled place which isn’t going to be loud and noisy. We won’t be doing alcohol.

“We’re mature people and we know what we’re doing - we have successful branches elsewhere and want to expand.”

Mr Farook and his fellow directors - Danish Ahmad, Omar Qureshi and Muffadal Abbas - all previously studied at the University of Kent and have long strived to open up in their former city.

“We all studied in Canterbury and had a few other ventures, then we put our heads together and got our feet into the restaurant business,” Mr Farook said.

“We’ve been looking at the right sort of property here for a while and this is a good fit for us.

“Being ex students in Canterbury, we know what it’s like and what is needed. It’ll be a funky and trendy restaurant where people can come and relax.

“It’s been an ambition to come back here and get a place going, so it’s really exciting that we’re nearly there.

“We wish to bring new food concepts which we feel will diversify the offerings in the city. We believe this is important in a tourist area.”

Wraps and Wings, which has numerous branches in London and other major UK cities, prides itself on making “memorable” and “flavour-packed” burgers, snacks and shakes.

Mr Farook says the soon-to-be-completed £115 million leisure complex at Kingsmead, across the road from the end of Palace Street, will be a helpful boost to his business.

“With the big development we’re predicting more people will come this way in the city and create a buzz,” he said.

“There should be more footfall in the area with people walking along Palace Street.”

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