A CLOSED Stalybridge restaurant may reopen in a new guise, with a different layout and outside eating and drinking area.
La Lupa, on Stamford Street, has long been in place but has stood empty for some time.
Now after Andrew Fogg bought the building, he has applied to Tameside Council to change its use to a café/restaurant and drinking establishment.
He would also change its external appearance, as well as the interior layout, and place an outdoor area to its rear as it would operate as an eatery during the day and bar in the evening.
And documents supporting the scheme believe it would positively contribute to Stalybridge’s regeneration.
They state: “The restaurant use is long established, and it previously traded under the business name La Lupa, but it has now been closed for a while.
“The applicant has recently purchased the property and he is wishing to invest significant resources into renovating and improving the condition of the building and surrounding land, with the intention of using it as a restaurant/drinking establishment.
“He would like to utilise the premises to its full potential and the mixed planning use of restaurant and drinking establishment would allow them to lawfully operate as public bar throughout the day and during the later evening period when the kitchen facilities have closed.
“The existing building requires significant renovation/improvement works both internally and externally to bring it up to a high-quality standard that customers now expect to see.
“A new traditional style shop front with associated signage would be installed at the front of the building. New conservation style windows would be installed in all the building elevations.
“An outside eating/drinking area would be created at the rear, which can be used by customers when the weather permits.
“There is a growing trend nationally of vacant shops and other commercial premises on high streets in town centres due to the number of small and large businesses that have failed in recent years, and changes to consumer shopping and lifestyle habits.
“This decline has a negative effect on the vitality, viability, and visual appearance of the town centres, and therefore it is important that businesses are supported where possible to retain them and to attract new ones.
“The applicant aims to operate a successful and well-run business from the premises, and he will employ local people, and the various internal and external renovation works plus the additional drinking establishment related services would enable the business to suitably expand and prosper in the longer term.
“The proposed use of the premises as restaurant and bar would contribute to the vitality and viability of Stalybridge Town Centre and its daytime and evening economy.
“Restaurants and bars form part of the modern mixed town centre environment and the use would therefore complement the function of the town centre.
“With more people now living in town and city centres, café bars, restaurants and drinking establishments such as this also provide social facilities that help to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments.
“The proposed mixed use will provide economic, social, and environmental benefits and help to support the council’s and the Government’s objectives of regenerating and improving Stalybridge town centre to ensure its long-term viability and vitality.”
Mr Fogg is looking to operate opening hours for the restaurant and drinking establishment ‘that are consistent with other similar businesses in the town centre.’
Documents add: “This would involve later opening hours at weekends and bank holidays when the town centre is normally busier with people.
“They understand that the outside drinking/eating area may not be permitted to be used for the same times due to the potential for noise/disturbance.”
Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee will decide whether to grant or refuse permission.