New riverside café coming to Preston as opening hours revealed
Plans for a new café alongside the River Ribble in Preston have been given the go-ahead.
The venture – which is set to open in part of a disused property on Riverside, along from Broadgate – will aim to tempt commuters and those enjoying a walk or bike ride near the water.
The semi-detached house stands on the Guild Wheel cycling and walking route, just over a mile south of the city centre and a short distance from the entrance to Avenham Park.
Preston City Council planners have approved the proposal to convert the ground floor of one half of the premises – Alpha Cottage – and to merge the living space above with neighbouring Ribble Cottage.
According to a report outlining the authority’s decision, the café will be open five days a week, closing on two days across a yet-to-be-determined combination of Monday to Wednesday.
It will operate a morning service between 8am and 9am, aimed at those travelling to work, and another during the late afternoon and evening. The latter will run from 4pm until and 8pm throughout summer months, but only for a short period after 3.30pm during the winter.
Opening hours may reduce at any time of the year “depending on daylight and demand”, the report notes.
The site will also host pre-booked community sessions for small local groups of between 10 and 25 people – with sessions from Monday to Thursday, finishing no later than 10.30pm. No food will be served at those events.
The conversion of the property will involve the creation of an indoor seating area, open plan kitchen and fully-accessible toilet. Further seating and another toilet and storage area will be located to the rear of the premises.
One objection was lodged to the plans, with concerns raised including the potential impact of the café on parking and traffic, as well as neighbouring residents.
Town hall planning officials concluded that white no parking spaces were to be provided as part of the proposal, the eatery was earmarked for a “sustainable location”.
They added that it was “primarily directed towards users of the Guild Wheel and pedestrians and cyclists, in general, who pass the site each day” – meaning there would not be a “severe impact” on the roads as a result. Highways officials at Lancashire County Council did not oppose the plan.
The report added that the “small-scale” nature of the café ensured that it was “acceptable” for the area in which it was being proposed.