Plans to open a new wine bar and coffee shop in Chester city centre are advancing fast.
- Popcorn Hospitality Ltd has been granted planning permission for a new venue in the historic Co-op bank building.
- The premises will feature a wine bar and coffee shop with artisanal offerings and performance space.
- The venue, named Planaterra, has applied for a licence to operate late into the evening.
- Public consultation is open until October 28, providing community engagement on the project.
Plans for a new wine bar and coffee shop in Chester’s city centre, spearheaded by Popcorn Hospitality Ltd, are moving forward with significant momentum. The venture aims to revitalise the long-unused former Co-operative Bank building on Northgate Street, which closed back in November 2020. Having secured planning permission, the company has applied for a premises licence with the Cheshire West and Chester Council, which will facilitate the establishment of a unique venue named Planaterra.
The proposed venue will encompass a ground floor setting, offering patrons an array of artisanal food and beverages, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Importantly, the venue will support consumption within the premises and in an adjoining al fresco area, enhancing the dining experience. The planned layout describes a blend of low and high-level seating, a bar constructed from repurposed antique cabinetry, and outdoor coffee tables. Additionally, the venue will feature a small stage intended for acoustic performances, enriching the cultural atmosphere of the locale.
Operational hours are set to span from 9am to 12:30am daily, with alcohol sales permitted from 10am to midnight, allowing customers considerable flexibility for visiting. Joseph Dunn, the current operations manager at Popcorn, is poised to become the licensee, a role pivotal to the operational oversight and quality assurance of the establishment.
Public involvement remains a key element of this project, with the opportunity for stakeholders to express views on the proposal through the consultation period, which concludes on October 28. The absence of any physical alterations to the Grade II listed building aligns with previous remarks by the applicant, stating that development plans will only proceed post-confirmation of the change of use.
Endorsed by council official Kara Johnston earlier this year, the project aligns with the vision of enhancing a vibrant evening economy, thereby extending the hours during which the city centre can thrive with activity. This initiative aims to create a safe, attractive environment that both supports and stimulates the local economy.
The transformation of this historic site into a vibrant social hub reflects a commitment to both cultural enrichment and economic revitalisation in Chester.
