A CAFE in Chester city centre has become so popular that its owners have decided to open a second branch up the road.

Jaunty Goat Coffee Ltd already has a business on Bridge Street and has now applied to open a second in the former British Red Cross charity shop on Northgate Street.

Director Patrick White has told the council that the new shop would have more of a focus on ‘free from’ produce.

And he envisages the move will create more jobs, on top of the 25 people currently employed.

In a letter to the planning department, Mr Write wrote: “Jaunty Goat Coffee is an independent coffee shop established in Chester in July 2015. The business has grown significantly over the last three years from our first location at 57 Bridge Street.

"The business won Best Café at this year’s Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Awards, along with winning Best Coffee Shop in this year’s [2018] and the 2017 CH1 BID Awards.

“At 128 Northgate Street we intend on making available a similar offering to that of our current shop, however with the emphasis on ‘free from’ produce – encouraging the consumption of more environmentally sustainable food and drink.

“The business currently has 25 employees based in the Chester store who are all residents of Chester – five staff will relocate to the new store and it is envisaged more staff will be required.”

He added that the new shop would “contribute to the attraction and viability of Chester and help stimulate pedestrian footfall”.

The application to change the use of the building to allow for a café will be considered by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee at a future date.