Decision made on new cafe for town centre

Proposals to transform a former charity shop in the centre of Blackpool into a new café have been approved by planners.

The application submitted to Blackpool Council was for the erection of a roof lift to the rear projection and use of premises as a café on the ground floor and retail on the first floor at 16 Deansgate.

Previously the ground floor space was used as the Refresh Deangate charity shop which was supported by the Christian mental health charity Refreshment UK, which has a base at The Refresh Centre at 156 Waterloo Road.
Once open, the new café will be known as The Orchard.

Applicant Peter Cunningham successfully obtained a Lawful Development Certificate which meant that planning permission was not needed for the changes, arguing that the proposed use and the former use both fall within the same use class E.

A planning statement from the applicant said: “We have been based at 16 Deansgate since 2017 and the building has been used as a charity shop on the ground floor, and we took on the hairdressing salon on the first floor.

“As part of our development of the property, we are looking at maintaining the E planning class use of the building, but are pursuing a Certificate of Lawful Development.

“Refreshment UK has built a network of people across Blackpool who support our work and we plan to convert the building into the following two developments.

“On the ground floor, we intend to convert it to a commercial café space called The Orchard, this will be open for coffees, cold lunches, and cakes at various times of the day. The café will also be hired and used by local community groups and churches who will put on a programme of events outside for members of the community.

“However, all sessions will be based around the café’s operation, and the serving of drinks and refreshments will happen on the ground floor. The ground floor will also offer a café, small office/storage room, and disabled toilets as well as a commercial lift available to the first floor.”

The planning officer stated: “It is not considered that the proposed minor external works would require planning permission in this instance. and as such, a Certificate of Lawfulness should be granted.”