PLANS for a new cultural arts hub and café in Chester city centre have been given the green light.

Independent trader Bloom & Albion, which first opened as letterpress print studio Ffowndri in Rhyl in 2018, is behind the proposal for the former Trespass outdoor equipment store on Bridge Street.

Plans had been submitted to make changes to the Grade I listed building, ahead of Bloom & Albion's proposed opening.

It is planned for all floors of the building to be used.

The ground floor is to include the retail area, where a range of home and kitchen accessories, bath and skincare products, stationery and arts and crafts will be sold.

Also on the ground floor, there will be space for a 'Makers Space', which previously existed in Rhyl but closed upon the outset of the Covid pandemic. The Makers Space is a Ceramics and Printmaking Studio.

On the first floor – at Rows level – there will be a café, while on the second floor there will be three studios and the kitchen to the café.

The top floor will include a Gallery/Education Space and an Education Room.

External alterations include repainting the front of the building from its present blue to black, to fit with the Tudor-style look of the Rows. Replacement hanging signs are also sought.

A number of internal alterations will facilitate the new café and artists' studios.

In a report recommending approval, council case officer Edward Shepherd said: "In this case, the works are necessary to bring the listed building back into a viable use.

"Subject to conditions, it is not considered that the proposal would result in significant adverse impact on the designated heritage asset and would result in less than substantial harm to the significance of the listed building."