PLANS for a former coffee shop in Chester city centre to be turned into a new gin bar have been given the go-ahead.

Back in March, the Standard reported on an application being lodged with Cheshire west and Chester Council to convert the former Barista's coffee shop – currently vacant – into Providence Gin on Watergate Street.

In a planning statement, Planning Angel Ltd said the new premises would be a Victorian specialist gin bar, shop and tasting room.

It said: "The core offer will be the gin experiences, tastings, a gin shop, gin brunches, gin teas and day to day general trade. Providence Gin will be stocking 500 gins including its own Chester distilled bottles. Coffee and food (charcuterie) are all part of the overall experience."

Seating for up to 60 people would be provided, including in the gin tasting room, while it is proposed for the frontage of the building to be painted in 'brave blue paint'.

The planning statement added the previous business, the Barista's coffee shop, was no longer viable and had ceased trading.

No works are planned to the exterior elevations, while the floorspace will be reconfigured to create an additional WC, but predominantly remain unchanged and segregated into separate spaces.

The planning statement concluded: "The change of use proposed for the premises is as a gin shop and tasting venue. The business idea can best be described as a gin retail and entertainment experience.

"Such a concept is in line with current thinking on how to make retail work within a challenging high street shopping environment and to create more destinations that stimulate the evening economy, drawing people to stay longer and support a variety of businesses within the city centre.

"The concept of a gin experience destination will enhance the diversity and footfall of the city centre environment."

A planning inspector's report said: "The unit would retain an active frontage onto Watergate Street and bring a vacant unit back into use. This would increase visitor footfall and make a positive contribution to the long-term vitality and viability of the area."

The council formally approved the application on Friday, July 29.

The Grade II-listed building is part of God's Providence House, which had a 17th century wooden carving, with the inscription 'God's providence is mine inheritance'.

It was created along with the house in 1652, as the site was where residents had previously survived a horrific plague in 1647-48 which wiped out 40 per cent of Chester's then-5,000 population.