New eclectic eatery for town-centre spot

A Herefordshire town could be about to get the county’s first branch of a quirky and eclectic café-bar and restaurant chain.

Loungers has applied for full planning permission (number 261589) to convert part of the Maltings shopping centre in Broad Street, within Ross-on-Wye’s conservation area, which until recently was occupied by The Original Factory Shop.

Lounges are characterised by menus drawing from a wide range of cuisines, as well as individual décor including original paintings and lampshades. They encourage visits “on a walk-in basis”.

There would be minimal physical changes to the Ross building, apart from new ventilation outlets and air conditioning units to the rear.

It is this and other minor alterations for which permission is being sought, as no formal change of use is needed, a statement with the application says.

“Advertisement consent for proposed signage will be sought separately,” it adds.

While accompanying plans depict an extensive internal area “for consumption of intoxicating liquor”, no licensing consultation has yet been published on Herefordshire Council’s website.

With over 300 branches nationally, Lounges “are located in either suburbs or market towns” and typically offer food from 9am to 10.30pm, the firm’s application explains.

Each new site creates around 30 jobs locally, and the firm expects to invest around £1 million to convert the Ross premises which, the application notes, has no immediate vehicle access or parking.

The Bristol-based firm’s most recent accounts showed it turned over £406 million in the year to April last year, during which time it was taken over by US-based Fortress Investment Group.

In January it opened “Pietro Lounge” in the former George pub in Ludlow’s Castle Square.