WORK on a new KFC drive-thru restaurant for Wellington has progressed to the stage of putting up the framework of the building.

The first section of the steel frame building can now be seen on the site on the Westpark 26 business park, in Chelston.

Award-winning Devon Contractors has spent six weeks carrying out groundworks to prepare the half-acre site situated between the Skylark public house and Travelodge hotel and a Costa Coffee store.

The single-storey KFC restaurant is expected to be open before the summer of 2024, depending on weather conditions.

It will be slightly larger than half the size of McDonald’s drive-through restaurant nearby on the business park.

Unlike the 24-hour McDonald’s restaurant, KFC's drive-thru has been restricted by planning conditions to open only between 7 am and 11 pm.

The KFC planning permission, which was granted in July, also stipulated the company must build 12 electric vehicle charging bays before the restaurant can open.

KFC already has more than 26,000 restaurants in 145 countries around the world, employing 820,000 staff, and last year celebrated its 65th anniversary.

The company wants to open more than 500 new sites across the UK and Ireland and has offered to pay up to £20,000 for introductions to sites it did not already know about.

Earlier this year a Miss Millie's Fried Chicken concession opened on the Westpark estate in the nearby Shell petrol station/Budgens convenience store.