A new café bar and restaurant proposed for the former Boots store in Congleton could create up to 30 jobs.

Loungers applied to Cheshire East Council last year for permission to use the empty Boots store and the next-door vacant former gift shop on Bridge Street as a lounge/café bar and restaurant.

The application is due to be considered by the council's planning officers under delegated powers in the near future.

Loungers UK Limited operates more than 230 sites across the country through two brands, The Lounges and The Cosy Clubs.

It has Lounges in Macclesfield, Nantwich and Warrington.

A design and access statement submitted by Turley on behalf of the applicant, states: "Each new Lounge opening results in an investment of nearly £1m into the local high street and the creation of up to 30 new jobs on average."

It says these include a variety of roles – from leadership positions to front of house staff.

"These staff will also have available to them a very high standard of training with regards to health and safety, licensing etc which will help prepare them for other positions in the future," states the planning document.

It says the Lounges are all uniquely designed, with an emphasis on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for families 'as well as four-legged friends'.

"The aim of every Lounge is to tie in with local customers, so that they can make of the Lounge what they will, whether a customer wants to come in for a coffee after dropping children to school, a working lunch, or a tipple after work."

Panadero Lounge opened in Macclesfield last year (Credit: Nub News)

The statement adds: "There will be no adverse effects on the character of the area, amenities of residential occupiers, community safety and/or highway safety.

"The proposals are considered to complement the wider area which falls in a town centre location alongside a mixture of Class E establishments including other cafés restaurants.

"There will be no impact on highways as part of the scheme."