Plans for a new venue in the former Co-op Bank building in Chester are advancing quickly, promising to revitalise the area.
- Planning permission has been secured by Popcorn Hospitality Ltd to transform the historic building into a wine bar and coffee shop.
- The venue, named Planaterra, will feature a mix of seating, repurposed decor, and a small stage for live performances.
- A premises licence has been applied for, with proposed operating hours from 9am to 12.30am, seven days a week.
- The public consultation period on these plans will end on October 28, 2024.
The former Co-operative Bank building on Northgate Street in Chester, shuttered since November 2020, is set for a significant transformation. Popcorn Hospitality Ltd, known for its popular Popcorn bar in Chester, has obtained planning permission to repurpose this historic site into an innovative wine bar and coffee shop named Planaterra.
Joseph Dunn, currently the operations manager at Popcorn, is poised to become the licensee of the new establishment. The premises licence application, submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council, outlines the venture’s unique offerings, including artisanal food and drink, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, for indoor and outdoor consumption.
The interior will boast a combination of low and high seating with a bar created from repurposed antique cabinetry. The distinctive design will also incorporate outside coffee tables and a small stage earmarked for acoustic performances, making it a vibrant addition to Chester’s social scene.
Intended opening hours for the establishment are from 9am to 12.30am daily, allowing for alcohol sales between 10am and midnight. This schedule aims to contribute to a robust evening economy in the area, fostering a safer and more engaging environment for both residents and visitors.
The public has until October 28, 2024, to voice any comments or concerns regarding these proposals. This initiative is seen as a pivotal step towards reinvigorating a formerly disused site and enhancing Chester’s cultural and social landscape.
These developments mark a promising new chapter for an iconic building in Chester, poised to enhance the city’s social and economic fabric.
