Another national coffee chain has set it sights on Wilmslow.
Costa Coffee has submitted an application to Cheshire East Council to enable them to take over the unit previously occupied by Wildings camera shop, which closed down twelve months ago.
Costa, which is currently the largest chain of branded coffee shops in the UK, has applied for a change of use of the ground floor of 1-3 Alderley Road from retail (A1) to a mixed use coffee shop. They have also applied to make alterations to the shop front and create an outdoor seating area.
The property lies within the Wilmslow Conservation Area and is designated within the Macclesfield Borough Plan (2004) as being within the Shopping area of Wilmslow Town Centre.
The proposed coffee shop trading on the ground floor of the premises will have facilities for takeaway purchases as well as consumption on the premises and will therefore contain a mixture of A1 and A3 uses.
According to the application the coffee shop will be open during daytime shopping hours only and be closed in the evenings.
Referring to the economic benefits the planning application documents state "Costa are very keen to locate within Wilmslow and have identified the application site as being particularly suitable for the proposed development.
"The forecourt of the premises lends itself very well to an outdoor seating area and will create an attractive, welcome and active frontage to one of the main approaches to Wilmslow town centre.
"Enjoying a coffee break whilst visiting shopping or visiting a town centre is now considered to be part of the shopping experience. The provision of coffee shops actively encourages people to stay longer in the area and visit other shops, thereby increasing spend in the area."
The proposed new Costa Coffee will create approximately 8 new jobs, both full and part time.
You can view the application submitted on behalf of Costa Coffee on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for reference 12/1760M.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
The extensive application report quotes the Govt policy of 'presumed consent' and includes many successful planning appeals in which Costa have been involved.(implied threat?)
It would be more appropriate for a local produce outlet, eg veg, meats, cheese, gourmet pies, fish etc. to compete with the 2 widely seperated main supermarkets. Central Wilmslow does not have a 'real butcher' or fishmonger, they are both on Chapel Lane.
The application briefly alludes to the Mary Portas report. My recollection of her conclusions was
balanced, diversified, shops, with a predominantly local identity, to rejuvenate the High St.
More coffee anyone?
I agree it would be nice to see, but when supermarkets like Tesco and Morrisions have a tight grip on the market, its just not going to happen im afraid.
Good news for the town, more jobs and the no longer another empty retail unit.