'Balcony Bar' plans confirmed for empty St Helens town centre shop

Entrepreneur Ian Pitts wants to extend The Secret Garden gin bar on Ormskirk Street, St Helens by developing the two-storey Urban King building, which historically also housed Gibsons Sports.

The upper floor was previously used as a tattoo studio. A planning application submitted to St Helens Council sets out proposals for the building's change of use.

It includes plans for an outdoor terrace area on the first floor, which would be known as the Balcony Bar.

Food & Drink Quarter

The venue would be an addition to Mr Pitts' array of food and drink businesses in the Imperial Buildings - which include Cork & Dough, Imperial, The Terrace, The Secret Garden, The Church and The Yard – and the Imperial Quarter Food and Drink Quarter at the adjacent Brook Steet, which is due to open in August after a series of delays.

A CGI image of how the finished Food & Drink quarter could look

Design statement

A design and access statement included in the application states: "The premises is proposed to operate as an extension to The Secret Garden - the bar which is located next door.

"The link will be achieved by creating two small openings in the existing party wall toward the rear.

"The ground floor will house two independent food outlets on a rolling basis, and seating areas.

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"The first floor will include a bar to the right side and additional seating, the installation of the bifold doors to the front will create a viewpoint to the Imperial Quarter development.

"The smaller top floor will be used as a private room, with its own bar and outdoor terrace area, for private bookings."

The building that could be transformed Pic: Google images

The application points out that multiple food vendor outlets are a focal point of many cities and large towns, citing the Baltic Market, Liverpool; Altrincham Market, Altrincham and Escape to Freight Island, Manchester as examples.

Independent businesses

The planning application statement added: "St Helens is becoming known for its support of independent vendors with many successful businesses located in the town, the addition of the Food Quarter and this proposed venture will bring a further eight independent businesses to the town offering further diversity.

"The proposed use of the building we feel will maximise its potential and will also complement the regeneration project set out for St Helens by attracting visitors to the town and also assist with local residents having the benefit of a city-inspired food quarter without the need to travel out of the town."