An Indian restaurant in Broughton village looks set to be bulldozed.

A Touch of Spice in Garstang Road is being eyed up by developers to become a a new retirement living complex along with offices and shops.

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The one acre plot at the Broughton crossroads had been on the market for more than half-a-million pounds in the early part of 2018.

A spokesman for Touch of Spice told Blog Preston at the time they would be ‘remaining as an Indian restaurant’.

Now plans tabled by PWA Planning on behalf of Midas Limited, based in Adelphi Street, outline how the restaurant would be closed and knocked down.

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In its place would be a 36-bedroom retirement complex, and an office block and four retail units built in the restaurant’s place.

A 53-space car park would be created within the complex.

The shops and offices would border the Broughton crossroads while the retirement complex would corner onto Woodplumpton Lane and Downing Court.

History of the site

The restaurant has a blue plaque on its side, from when it was the former Golden Ball pub.

Dating back to the early 17th century the site has been used for eating and drinking for centuries.

The current building dates back to around 1925 and has seen a number of modifications since.

A blue plaque sits on the Whittingham Lane wall of the restaurant to mark how on May 6 1787 the Golden Ball hosted the first meeting of the Broughton Catholic Charitable Trust.

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This was formed to assist the poor of the district after a smallpox epidemic and the trust continues to this day.

The site remained a pub until the late 20th century when it became an Indian restaurant and has been known as the Bay Tree, the Gate of Bengal and lastly a Touch of Spice.

It is not known if the blue plaque will be maintained within the new design for the site.

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You can view the full proposals on the Preston City Council website.

What do you think of the plans for Touch of Spice? Let us know your views in the comments below

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