Tuesday July 14th 2026
Former Horseshoe Bar in Dalkeith will be turned into a Pepe's Piri Piri.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
A national chicken restaurant chain is set to open its first Midlothian store in a former pub.
The Pepe’s Piri Piri restaurant and takeaway has been granted planning permission to open its doors at the former Horseshoe Bar, on St Andrews Street, Dalkeith.
But while the restaurant is set to open between 11am and 11pm seven days a week, plans for a takeaway service have been restricted because it is too close to a primary school.
A condition added by planners will ensure the takeaway does not open until 4pm during the week to keep operations outwith school hours.
Applicant Mohammed Sarwar, a local businessman, applied to open the franchise of the chain which began in London nearly 20 years ago and has more than 200 outlets including several in Edinburgh and one in Musselburgh.
A supporting statement submitted on Mr Sarwar’s behalf said the new restaurant will create up to 25 jobs with an estimate that 70 per cent of the trade will be from customers sitting in at the family-friendly restaurant with only 15 per cent takeaway and 15 per cent delivery.
It said: “The proposal will add vitality and interest to the established Dalkeith town centre, increasing footfall and reinforcing its role as a key commercial and social destination.”
Midlothian Council’s food and drink guidance says hot food takeaways should not be granted permission if they are within 400 metres of a school and the new restaurant is just 300 metres from Kings Park Primary School.
Planners said that following a decision by the council’s Local Review Body to allow a takeaway as long as it operated outside of school hours, meant the new service could go ahead with similar restrictions applied.
The application was approved with a condition that “the use of the hot food takeaway hereby approved shall not be open to the public out with the following hours: Mondays – Fridays inclusive: 16:00 to 23:00, Saturdays and Sundays: anytime.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
