Contractors transforming former Pizza Hut next to Sainsbury’s Fosse Park into brand new branch of Tim Hortons

Mason Moore & Vaughan Moore | 8 June 2022

THE TRANSFORMATION of the former Pizza Hut next to Sainsbury’s Fosse Park into a brand new Tim Hortons drive-through and restaurant is well underway.

***Construction crews at the site today (8 June) (Image: Mason Moore)***

Today (8 June), teams of contractors sporting yellow hi-vis jackets were spotted on the site of the once much-loved pizzeria discussing plans for the building, whilst some even operated excavators, seemingly near where the new drive-thru will be set up.

The building and its car park has entirely been fenced off by a security firm who are monitoring the site – and the car park is now filled with storage containers and a skip.

The ‘canopy’ area left over from its past lease of life is also yet to be removed. Wooden beams which form part of the frontage are being taken down slowly but surely.

Some of the works that still need to take place include the removal of the iconic Pizza Hut ‘Hut’ roof, which will be replaced with a flat roof for Tim’s, the installation of two drive-thru lanes, drive-thru windows, and the creation of an outdoor seating area.

At the time of publication, there is still no timeframe for an opening date. But, the teams are working round-the-clock so Tim’s can soon serve up Timbits and coffees.

***Contractors on-site discussing plans for the building (Image: Mason Moore)***

**An excavator being operated at the back of the building (Image: Mason Moore)**

***Planning documents revealed that this canopy will not remain (Image: Mason Moore)***

***The car park now sports storage containers and a skip (Image: Mason Moore)***

It was back in December when plans lodged with Blaby District Council were first uncovered, showing Tim’s were poised to take the site on.

Since then, in April two months ago, Tim’s confirmed that the branch will open ‘later this year’.

Previously speaking on the announcement of the site, Kevin Hydes, Chief Commercial Officer of Tim Hortons UK, said: “Having received such a positive response from our first flagship opening in the centre of Leicester, it’s been an easy decision for us to expand further into the city with a venue that has both a restaurant and drive-thru.

“We’ve received a lot interest from locals who know and love our offering, so we look forward to bringing our Canadian charm to even more people in the area, as well as offering the drive-thru service for those wanting to grab food and drink on the go.”

A total of 50 new jobs – including part-time and full-time – will be created, helping to build the coffee giant’s ambitious plans to create 2,000 jobs across the country, which will see a Tim’s in every major town and city in the next year.

Coffee and doughnuts are not the only treats on offer – as the new restaurant will further serve up ‘delicious’ breakfasts, and lunch and evening meal options, including hot sandwiches, wraps and burgers.

The new branch will mark Tim’s first drive-through locally and their second restaurant to open in Leicestershire, as they already have a high street location based on East Gates in Leicester city centre.

Back in October last year, LeicestershireLive reported that the coffee chain further have their sights set on launching another drive-thru in Leicestershire sometime in the future after this – and it would be based on the former GE Thorn Lighting Factory site in Belgrave, Leicester.