WITH just a few months to go before its planned opening, another tweak is sought for Chester's incoming Picturehouse cinema.

Chester Picturehouse is one of the feature attractions at the new Northgate Development, and previously submitted an application to increase the maximum capacity of the auditoria from 716 to 800.

Now a planning application has been submitted by Cheshire west and Chester Council to replace part of what would've been an in-house cinema foyer to an independent food and drink outlet.

In planning documents, the council explained that Picturehouse Cinema previously intended to operate their own coffee shop or food and drink outlet within that space, "but the global pandemic has resulted in them changing their business model and, consequently, this space has become surplus to their requirements."

The revised plans aim to separate the proposed independent food and drink space from the entrance to Picturehouse and operate the unit independently.

The Northgate Development is expected to open fully in autumn 2022, featuring the cinema, cafés, bars, restaurants, a new indoor market, new parking and office spaces.

Cosy Club Chester was the first of the public venues to open up, at the the entrance to the new Coachworks Arcade.