Lismore's beloved little takeaway Skimmo's has received a lifeline when Mayor Vanessa Ekins called-up the Development Application (DA) so that it can be debated by councillors in a future council meeting.

Owner Kevin Handcock said he was thankful that the new Mayor can see the overwhelming support Skimmo's has from the community.

"We now have over 500 signatures on our petition to stop the DA" Kevin said, "I urge everyone to come down to Skimmo's and add their signature to the growing list."

The petition will play an integral part in Kevin's passionate plea to councillors to save the iconic store.

There has been debate over the age of Skimmo's Takeaway but it is believed to be about 78 years old so started around 1943. An old Northern Star story from 2013 said that owners Lorraine and Jamie Johnston believed that Skimmo's was 70 years old.

(Skimmo's at an unknown time. Photo: Tracey)

There can be no debate over the history some people have had with the place. The Lismore App facebook page has had many memories shared including Rodney Durheim "I went there a lot as a kid for my great grandmother over 40 years ago," Anne Cork " We lived near there way back in 1971 and Skimmo's were there then," and Lynne Schrader "In 1982 we used to live next door to Skimmo's where the current caravan sales place is, back when Skimmos had it."

Skimmo's long history has made it an 'iconic' takeaway shop and the main reason why this potential DA has hit a community nerve. It is also one of the reason that Mayor Ekins called-up the DA.

"I call things up when it is in the interest of the community," Mayor Ekins said, "It is important for councillors to be seen to make these sort of decisions in the chamber."

"16 years ago councillors voted to delegate the planning decision to council staff. I voted against that then and that is why I voted for last weeks proposal to set-up a Planning Committee so councillors can be across all DA's in the future," she added.

The other reason is the traffic concern. An increase in traffic due to the nature of the new business flowing onto Union Street on a busy roundabout especially weekday afternoons or the exit on Elliott Road.

(Traffic flow diagram of the proposed 7-Eleven)

None of this news will please the new owners of the land Spectrum Retail Group.

They have lodged the DA with council to build Lismore's first 7-Eleven.

Project Manager Greg Peddie told the Lismore App the new service station would bring more jobs to Lismore and stimulate the economy.

"This project will generate more work for Lismore," Greg said, "This is a big build and we will be employing local builders and contractors to help deliver that."

"Then there is the 20 people that we will employ to run the business plus ongoing landscaping maintenance and truck drivers for deliveries."

"7-Eleven's are more than a service station, it has a different offering through its convenience shop. People's lives are busy, they are looking for convenient ways to shop and we will be providing a different customer experience which include the basics like bread and milk," Greg explained.

The timing of the DA debate is still unknown. Mayor Ekins suggesting that April may be too early for staff to get a full report together so it is more likely to be part of the May council meeting.

Kevin Handcock has said his lease expires in August, 2021.