A restaurant and bar business has been granted planning permission to turn a former clothes shop in Churchill Square, Brighton, into a new venue.
The New World Trading Company aims to convert the former Top Shop store into the Botanist, part of a national chain of more than 30 gastropubs.
Five people objected to the planning application which was approved by Brighton and Hove City Council planning officials under delegated powers. Two people sent in supporting comments.
Officials approved the change of use of part of the ground and first floors and roof level to provide a food and drink venue.
As well as a new shopfront and changes to the internal layout, the venue is expected to have outdoor seating on the roof.
New World said in its planning application: “The Botanist is most appropriately described as a destination premises which offers an ‘all day haven’ rather than a ‘stepping stone’ to other licensed premises.
“The Botanist’s approach is to provide a relaxed food and drink experience, with an emphasis on the novelty of experience and trying new flavours.
“The Botanist provides a high-end experience that does not focus on consuming large quantities of alcohol which is reflected in the individual pricing of beverages and the analysis of consumption statistics.”
New World expects the business to be able to serve 264 covers inside the building, with 168 at seated tables and 96 in the bar areas.
It expects 214 more covers outside on the decked roof, with 102 seated and 112 in what was described as the bar/chill area.
A planning condition restricts the use of the roof terrace between midnight and 9am.
The Botanist has submitted an application to the council for a premises licence, permitting the sale of alcoholic drinks. It is due to be decided by a council licensing panel on Thursday 2 March.
New World has applied to be able to serve drinks from 9am to 2am from Thursday to Saturday and from 9am to 1am from Sunday to Wednesday.
Another ‘eatery’
What a surprise?
I’ve no idea how the thousands of them and coffee shops survive?
My thoughts too. Not sure how many do survive longer than a few years before closing and reopening under another owner. I hope they don’t start putting tables and chairs outside at the front on the pavement but keep it to the roof.
Its the council hypocrites again. Whetherspoons and others have been applying for high st locations for years and years and we are always told it is just not suitable. Standard life promised a retail experience second to none.Since the Greens have made a complete total mess of this once proud retail town and pay more attention to putting upside down houses up it is now trying to cover up its mess.we do not want more alcohol and noise
It seems odd that we are frequently told that there is a “cost of living crisis” yet every time I walk through Brighton there are more and more of these expensive restaurants, take-aways, fast food establishments and coffee shops opening.
As these are all very expensive ways of obtaining food I have to ask – if people are allegedly unable to afford to put food on their plates who frequents all these establishments?
yikes, sounds like a bad idea!!
anyone who goes to churchill square often knows this isn’t going to work; when you look at the menu and check the prices they’re not really in line with the rest of the churchill square shopping experience and anyone wanting a more upmarket eating/drinking experience goes to the lanes. malls have food courts serving fast food because most people don’t want to hang around and dine specifically at a shopping mall.
i don’t think New World have done their homework here, i’d be surprised if this lasts longer than a year.
Hey it’s Christian when is this pub opening it’s not open yet when is this going to happen