A NEW Hungry Horse pub at Templars Shopping Park in Cowley would create up to 60 jobs.

If it gets planning permission, the eatery will open in the vacant unit next to Costa Coffee in Between Towns Road.

Park manager Quadrant Estates has invited the public to an exhibition of its plans today at the unit from 1pm to 6pm.

The new pub will be looking for managers, kitchen and bar staff, and waiters and waitresses.

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It will also fill a unit that has been empty since September 2013.

Quadrant partner James Bidwell said: “Hungry Horse would be a fantastic addition to Templars Shopping Park, complementing our tenant line up and bringing a quality family dining offer as well as 50 to 60 new jobs to the local area.

“The project is one of the final planks in our improvement strategy for the shopping park which has included the addition of Sainsbury, Poundland and Pets at Home and a Costa Coffee café as well as new landscaping, signage and a website.

“Changes at the park have been in line with Oxford City Council’s strategy to improve the vitality and viability of Cowley District Centre and we anticipate that the opening of a Hungry Horse family restaurant will further enhance the vibrancy of the location through increased opportunities for social activity.”

The unit currently has planning permission for use as a restaurant or café.

Quadrant Estates will apply for permission to change the site’s use to a pub and create parking spaces at the rear.

Florence Park resident Sara Reevell, 42, who has a five-year-old-son, said: “I think I would rather have seen something other than a pub go there.

“It will be like the Wetherspoon’s across the road.

“I have a young family, so I would rather have seen a nice restaurant there, but I will be interested to go along to the exhibition and see what they have planned.”

A new Pets at Home store is also due to open at the park by Christmas.

The Hungry Horse chain is operated by Greene King.

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