Work is well under way as Joe & the Juice gears up to open its first location in Chester city centre.

Established in 2002, the Copenhagen-founded brand is known for its coffee, sandwiches, juices and smoothies.

Cheshire West and Chester Council approved plans last month to bring 30 Bridge Street back into use through a full internal refurbishment, spanning from the basement to the second floor.

At the time, the planning officer concluded the proposals to convert the building into a juice bar and café had demonstrated "special regard to the desirability of preserving the listed building".

Documents noted that a 2025 consent for a restaurant fit-out would have had a comparable level of impact on the listed building, with developers saying the development is designed to respect the building's heritage while modernising its use.

The applicant argued the scheme would support regeneration in the city centre.

It said: "Allowing Joe & The Juice to operate in the space will bring increased employment and opportunities for local people and continued social and economic regeneration of the city."

The Grade II-listed building, which also includes 28 Bridge Street Row West, sits within the city's medieval Rows system.

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Planning documents noted that the interior has been heavily altered over decades of retail use, leaving little of historic significance.

In 2024, Giggling Squid applied to turn the unit into a Thai restaurant after designer store Tessuti closed earlier that year, but the approved scheme was not carried out.