New cafe could soon be on its way to borough building

A new cafe could soon open in a town centre building.
Exterior of Las Fierbinti, 38 Leigh Road, LeighExterior of Las Fierbinti, 38 Leigh Road, Leigh
Exterior of Las Fierbinti, 38 Leigh Road, Leigh

A new cafe could soon open in a town centre building.

Plans have been recommended for approval for the eatery on the ground floor of the closed site on Leigh Road, Leigh.

Proposals from Marian and Corina Pachiu said the cafe would provide a mix of breakfast, dinner and evening meals.

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Around 24 customers would be accommodated on 10 tables with opening hours 10am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday noon to 10pm and Sunday noon to 9pm.

In a planning statement on behalf of the applicants, agent Plans 2 Extend Ltd said they are keen to ensure that the premises will bring added benefit to the community.

It reads: “The applicants will be personally involved in ensuring that there will be no potential disturbances. To address this, the applicants have installed CCTV to the front, rear, entrance of the property, and internally. 24 hour surveillance recordings will be made available to the relevant authorities if required.”

The cafe plans come after previous proposals for a bar in the building were refused by Wigan Council planners amid concerns about noise and disturbance from late opening hours.

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They also said the proposal would not provide adequate accommodation for the parking, loading and unloading of vehicles within the site which would be “detrimental” to road safety and the free flow of traffic on Leigh Road.

And the plans have attracted five objections. Concerns include potential customer noise and anti-social behaviour, late night noise and disturbance, litter and and the possibility of people congregating in front of the cafe and obstruct the pavement.

Fears have also been raised about the potential for customers to congregate in the back yard area, insufficient parking/servicing facilities and the fact the premises are too small to operate as a cafe.

But six people have also voiced support, saying the applicants have addressed the reasons for refusal, that the amended plans will not have any adverse impact, and that a vacant shop in the area has been regenerated and its occupation will support neighbouring businesses by bringing customers into the area.

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Recommending the plans for approval on Tuesday, subject to conditions, council planners wrote that it was unlikely to generate the same concerns regarding customer noise as a bar. The proposed closing hours are also significantly earlier which would also reduce the potential amenity impacts.