PLANS lodged by Chester Race Company to turn an empty city centre retail unit into a new bar or restaurant have been given the green light.

The proposed development at 22 Bridge Street also includes residential accommodation.

The vacant property was formerly occupied by the Steamer Trading Cookshop and later ProCook.

Chester Race Company, who have owned the building since March last year, had both full planning and listed building consent applications approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council on Friday.

The premises is part of a 17th Century group of three properties – including 24 and 26 Bridge Street – known as The Dutch House.

In a report recommending approval, council case officer Karl Spilsbury said: "Given that the Covid-19 pandemic is having a dramatic impact upon the vitality and viability of Chester city centre, and with the recent announcement of Debenhams and the closure of Browns within the heart of the city, it is encouraging the applicant seeks to provide investment in the city."

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He adds: "As the nature nor the occupier of the commercial premises is known at this point, suitable conditions to ensure that protection of residential amenity will be imposed prior that requires a restriction on opening hours.

"Details of the end user will follow at the time of the licensing application and are dealt with using separate legislation.

"The applicant has also pointed out that they already have good experience of the relevant local issues because of successfully operating the adjacent Common Hall Social premises for a number of years."

The application stated: "The proposals involve alterations to the ground, first, second, third and fourth floor. This includes the insertion of new partitions and services, and the removal of modern finishes and partitions to convert the retail and associated office space of 22 Bridge Street to a bar/restaurant space on the ground, first and second floor, and residential accommodation on the second, third and fourth floor."

Two apartments each providing two bedrooms are to be created as part of the plans.