THE former Patisserie Valerie shop in the heart of Chester could soon become a new coffee shop.

Since 2019, the ground floor of the Bridge Street building, by the entrance to Grosvenor Shopping Centre, has been empty since Patisserie Valerie ceased trading there.

But now plans have been lodged with Cheshire West and Chester Council to bring a new 200 Degrees coffee shop to the vacant site, with seating for more than 80 people.

Should the plans be approved, the new venue would adjoin the new Boheme restaurant, which was the former Café Rouge building.

The new shop would be the 19th 200 Degrees cafe in the UK, in a business which now employs more than 250 people.

The business was set up by Rob Darby and Tom Vincent in 2012, who originally met while studying engineering at the University of Nottingham.

Planning documents say the pair "soon began supplying beans and machines to a wide range of cafés, bars and restaurants with their signature blend Brazilian Love Affair regularly being described as 'some of the best coffee in the city'.

"With their journey growing, Rob and Tom want to ensure Chester is part of it."

As part of the plans, the damaged shopfront door window would be replaced, with minor internal and external alterations made to the building.

Temporary wheelchair ramps would be put in place to allow wheelchair users to access all customer areas of the café, including the disabled toilets, and all staff would be trained to assist all customers that may require help, the planning documents add.

The statement adds: "The building has been empty for some time, the appearance will be improved by a high-quality fit-out which will bring back life to this area of Bridge Street.

"The existing shopfront will be repainted to suit the 200 Degrees style honouring its history, however its antique style is also sympathetic to that of the Grosvenor building."