Plans for a new Subway store in Monnow Street have been recommended for refusal by Monmouth town planners following last night's meeting (28th April) at the Shire Hall. Subway is an American fast food restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads and is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world, with 40,855 restaurants in 105 countries. It is the largest single-brand restaurant chain and the largest restaurant operator globally, but has failed the first hurdle in its attempts to break into Monnow Street at the former Monmouth book shop. The reasons given for a recommendation for refusal is that the site is opposite a junction and has a relatively narrow pavement and unloading would disrupt the flow of traffic through the town close to its pinch point. That end of town is also designated for business use and not for retail and it was felt that this would be an inappropriate use of premises. Town planners did raise the concern that there would need to be a change of use, however they were informed that the planning officer dealing with the application thought otherwise as the food was not prepared on the premises, merely put together. The applicant, Bar AM Partners Ltd of Newport are working through consultants CFM Consultants Ltd of Lancashire had not sought pre-application advice from Monmouthshire County Council, nor consulted with neighbours and the community. The plans include alterations to the interior of the Grade II listed building and signage to the exterior. The building was built as a house around 1730 with a shopfront added in the late 19th century. The interior was extensively altered on it's conversion to offices in the 20th century but it retains some of the early 19th century plasterwork and joinery, particularly in the main first floor front room. The first floor rooms are currently used by a solicitor.