Plans for a new "balcony bar" have been approved as the latest development in one Merseyside town centre.
Last week, the ECHO reported how St Helens had been shifting the town centre towards a leisure economy- with developments such as the Imperial Quarter and the new container food and drink hub set to open. This trend has continued with plans drawn up to transform a former tattoo studio into a restaurant- with first floor balcony bar.
Ian Pitts, the entrepreneur owner of Imperial, Cork and Dough, and The Terrace- submitted the plans to extend the Secret Garden gin bar on Ormskirk Street. This would be done by developing the premises next door-previously a tattoo studio and clothes store.
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Part of the application states: "The premises is proposed to operate as an extension to The Secret Garden - the bar which is located next door.
"The link will be achieved by creating two small openings in the existing party wall toward the rear. The ground floor will house two independent food outlets on a rolling basis, and seating areas.
"The first floor will include a bar to the right side and additional seating, the installation of the bifold doors to the front will create a viewpoint to the Imperial Quarter development. The smaller top floor will be used as a private room, with its own bar and outdoor terrace area, for private bookings."
The application goes on to reinforce the idea of a changing St Helens, it said: "St Helens is becoming known for its support of independent vendors with many successful businesses located in the town, the addition of the Food Quarter and this proposed venture will bring a further eight independent businesses to the town offering further diversity.
"The proposed use of the building we feel will maximise its potential and will also complement the regeneration project set out for St Helens by attracting visitors to the town and also assist with local residents having the benefit of a city-inspired food quarter without the need to travel out of the town."
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