A café owner is hoping to bring a taste of Italy to Appleton after winning planning permission for a pizzeria takeaway.
Karen Howard has been granted permission by Warrington Borough Council planners to transform her Bizzie Beans café on Bridge Lane, Appleton,
The application involves the ground floor unit of No. 40 Bridge Lane, in Appleton, which is situated within a terraced row, situated between two convenience stores, one to either side and a hairdressers.
Residential flats are situated above the units, and the area is primarily residential in character.
Planners have agreed to allow to change of use of the unit to a hot food takeaway (A5 use class), with plans to operate as a pizzeria between 11:00 and 21:00, seven days a week.
The application was supported by local Councillor Sharon Harris who said the application had the potential to increase community cohesiveness within the Cobbs estate.
Cllr Harris said: “Bizzie Beans is a community café which provides an invaluable service to a number of local people, some of whom are somewhat vulnerable. It is greatly valued as a community resource and the change of use would not affect this. In fact, it would enable the owner to continue the business. It is well known that these units are hard to let and prior to Bizzie Beans taking occupation, the unit was empty and boarded up for several years.”
Bizzie Beans hosts a number of community events such as a monthly book club and PSCO surgeries. It was also an integral part of the Christmas Lantern Walk which was organised by the South Area Team and the Parish Council.
Cllr Harris added: “The Cobbs estate is sadly lacking in a number of amenities and the change of use from café to pizzeria would, I suspect, be something that residents would find useful. ”
Karen added: “A lot of our customers are older people who are keen to see this kind of facility in the local community.
“We have been open since January 16 and this planning permission gives us an extra string to our bow. It will be an Italian style Street café. It will give the older opportunity a chance to get out in the evenings, without the hassle of trying to get to Stockton Heath and finding somewhere to park.”
Karen isn’t sure yet when work will start on the transformation – but the planning consent lasts for three years.
