Second 'bite' at shops centre sandwich bar

THE OWNERS of a shopping centre who want to open a sandwich bar are back for a second bite after an earlier planning bid was unsuccessful. St Albans Isle of Man Unit Trust (SAIMUT), which owns Christopher Place in the city centre, wants to convert a kiosk

THE OWNERS of a shopping centre who want to open a sandwich bar are back for a second bite after an earlier planning bid was unsuccessful.

St Albans Isle of Man Unit Trust (SAIMUT), which owns Christopher Place in the city centre, wants to convert a kiosk next to the florist's shop into an upmarket sandwich bar.

The application was rejected by St Albans District Council planners last year because it contravened a policy in place to ensure that at least 90 per cent of the shopping centre remained in retail use.

It was thought the proposal submitted by SAIMUT would result in too many non-retail premises in a prime shopping area.

A previous attempt to transform clothes shop Jaeger into a restaurant was turned down for the same reason.

But a spokesperson for the owners said: "We feel that this is the ideal site for someone like Pret A Manger or something similar. There would be a few bar stools provided but you can't class it as a sit-down caf�.

"We appreciate this is the Conservation Area but feel this part of town could really do with a facility like this."

The appeal is due to be heard on February 18 by a Government Inspector.