Former Chester toyshop to be turned into a bar

By Dherran Titherington 28th Nov 2024

St Ursula’s medieval undercroft is one of the oldest surviving structures of the Rows (Nub News)
St Ursula’s medieval undercroft is one of the oldest surviving structures of the Rows (Nub News)

The council has given the green light for the former Toycraft shop on Watergate Street to be turned into a bar. 

The scheme submitted by Buena Casa will see the inside of the unit refurbished to create a new high-end bar, serving only drinks.

The bar would reside on the ground floor and basement of the medieval undercroft in St Ursula's, at 37 Watergate Street. 

The empty grade I listed building was formerly occupied by Toycraft, which closed in 2018 after more than half a century of trading in Chester. 

Less than a year before this, its owner had closed half the store's premises in a bid to stay afloat, amidst a decline in trade and business rates of £27,000 a year.

The proposed refurbishments on the ground floor of the bar which will offer a 'casual' and 'stylish setting' (Image via: Cheshire West and Chester planning application)

The new bar will accommodate 54, featuring confession boxes, bench seating, bar seats and low level seating designed around the existing 'internal vaulted structure'. 

The planning application which was submitted last year, said making use of the vacant unit would create new jobs, generate footfall and enhance Chester's evening economy, whilst ensuring the historical unit 'receives long overdue maintenance'. 

In its application to Cheshire West and Chester council, Buena Casa said: "The approach to converting the unit into a bar seeks to retain the original historic fabric of the building, as well as remaining features of significance, and introduce new elements that are in keeping with the character of the building."

The planning application attached to St Ursula's on Watergate Street (Nub News)

Comparison to similar applications in the immediate area was raised, such as the former vacant coffee shop on 9 Watergate Street, which became Providence Gin in 2022, now a specialist gin bar, shop and tasting room. 

The planning application was approved this November.

Signing off the plans, the officer stated that the unit has been empty for 'significantly longer than 12 months, with advertisements on the building itself'.

Therefore, bringing the unit back into use would be 'beneficial to the vitality of The Rows'. 

Members of the public rejected the application due to nuisance and noise from customers, impacts on children, and the likelihood of the drinking establishment gaining a licence.

However, the report outlined they 'fell outside of planning control and therefore would not impact the determination of this application'. 

Providence Gin opened in November 2022 (Nub News)

One objecting person wrote: "As a resident of Watergate Street we are plagued by drinking establishments, currently more than 25 in this conservation area.

"They generate a massive amount of noise and disturbance, the last thing we need is yet another drinking establishment.

"This is a grade I listed building, making the necessary structural alterations to contain noise very difficult, if not impossible.

"The ceiling is stone from the 12th century which will transmit sound, in particular, bass throughout the whole building.

"The proposed bar is located in a residential neighbourhood, where families with young children reside. 

"The noise from the bar could greatly affect the children's sleep patterns and overall well-being, which could have a detrimental effect on their development."

The officer report continued: "It should be noted that there are no planning policies which specifically seek to limit the number or concentration of bars in the city centre.

"The site is located within the city centre and on a street which contains a high concentration of nighttime uses, mainly bars and restaurants. 

"Many of these have opening hours to 1:00 and this ensures that there is a level of activity in the area which continues into the night. 

"Any activity which occurs in relation to the proposed application would be experienced in this context and, given the background noise levels, is unlikely to give rise to a significant adverse impact to wider residential amenity."

The officer highlighted that the unit above is for commercial use and would therefore not 'cause any significant detrimental impact' to the standard of living for nearby residents. 

The medieval undercroft probably dates from circa 1180 to circa 1280, and is one of the oldest surviving structures of the Rows. 

You can find the application here.

     

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