A former nightclub is to become an Arabian-themed ‘dry’ cafe under new plans unveiled by its owners.
The Preston Cafe, the company which now leases the Aqueduct Mill on Aqueduct Street, Ashton, has said it wants to turn the building into an “entertainment cafe” which would not sell alcoholic drinks.
It said the former mill would have “an Arabian or Middle Eastern theme” to cater for youngsters, including students at the nearby University of Central Lancashire campus.
In an application, submitted by Bamber Bridge-based architects, Bramley Pate and Partners, said the cafe would be based on the building’s first floor where the nightclub previously operated.
It added: “It is intended that the clientele will be a mixed age, young students and families and older people wishing to socialise in an atmosphere where no alcohol is present.
“There will be music and possibly videos playing at various times and the premises will be subject to a new music and entertainment application.”
The operators are proposing to open the premises between 4pm and 2am to “cater for the varying needs of the different clientele.”
The plans include turning the former dance floor area of the nightclub into a lounge for the bar with sofas for customers.
It would also have eight booths on one side of the former mill building.
The applicant said: “The main changes are the use of the former dance floor areas for sofa-type seating and seating booths offering more privacy.”
It would include 20 parking spaces to the rear of the mill as well as parking on Aqueduct Street.
The application said the nightclub operation had become “defunct” a number of years ago.
A previous application, submitted last year, to turn another part of the mill into an internet cafe and offices were refused by the council.
It was claimed that application could have a “detrimental impact” on nearby business on Plungington Road.
The application for the change of use from a nightclub into a cafe will be decided by planning officers at Preston Council under delegated powers.
A decision is expected within the nex three months.
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