A FORMER shoe shop in Christchurch High Street could become a coffee shop if plans are approved.

Coffee #1 is proposing to open a new café at the unit formerly occupied by Shoe Zone, opposite the library.

The shop has been vacant for over a year.

Coffee #1 also has stores in Southbourne, Winton, Poole, and Ringwood. If Christchurch council grants the chain planning permission for the High Street store, it would bring 10 jobs to the town.

The café would be open from 7am-7pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 8.30am-6pm on Sundays.

A statement submitted by planning consultants Boyer on behalf of Coffee #1 says: “The company prides itself on the excellence of its coffee and the high quality and careful design of its stores.

“This approach has been acknowledged by the many awards won over recent years including the 2016 Café Life ‘Regional Chain of the Year’ award and the Sammies ‘Chain Sandwich Retailer of the Year’ award 2017.

The building the proposed coffee shop would be occupying is a Grade II listed building and situated within the Christchurch Central Conservation Area.

However, no physical alterations, neither internal nor external, are proposed.

“The necessary full advert and listed building consent applications regarding shop front alterations, advertisements and internal alterations will be submitted if the current proposal is approved,” Boyer says.

They add: “The proposal would improve the vitality and viability of the town centre by utilising a currently vacant unit, re-introduce an element (approximately 40%) of retail use into the primary frontage and create activity and vibrancy in this part of the High Street.”

Besides employing four full-time staff and six part-time staff, Boyer states the new shop would improve footfall in the shopping area, encourage visitors to stay longer in the town, and provide a venue for “social interaction”.