Italian-style cafe bar set to open in Ramsbottom

Venezia, which bills itself as coffee shop by day, bar by night, will open at a former chiropractor’s building on Square Street after a planning application was approved this week.

Addressing Bury Council’s planning committee on behalf of the applicants, Andrew Lilley, said: “The property has been empty and deteriorating for 10 years.

“It has now been refurbished with the aim of becoming a family owned café bar.

“The town is struggling with business closures with trade being attracted to other areas such as the currently thriving Rawtenstall.

“The cafe will improve the appearance of the building.

“It will provide employment and will be a positive force in the Ramsbottom business community.

“It will attract trade to help Ramsbottom return to being a thriving community after recent business closures.”

Venezia is set to open next month

Councillors granted a temporary permission for change of use for the "one-up-one-down" premises until the end of May 2025.

At the end of that period, if the business has not created any negative issues such as excessive noise or anti-social behaviour then the applicant can then apply for a permanent change of use.

The café said approval would mean two full time and three part time jobs would be created.

Cllr Mary Walsh said: “I would have thought with the number of businesses that have closed in Ramsbottom, I know of three or four personally, that this would be welcomed.”

Speaking after the meeting, committee member Gareth Staples-Jones said: “It’s great businesses are choosing Ramsbottom to open, we have to find a balance between helping new businesses and also protecting existing residents and last night’s decision was a good example of that.”

Ramsbottom has been hit by a spate of hospitality closures in recent months.

In April, the renowned Chocolate Café on Bolton Street announced it would close after 15 years.

Just weeks earlier Levanter, a Spanish restaurant in the town, closed after nine years.

The application had seven letters of support and four letters raising objections. Concerns about the proposal included attracting anti-social behaviour and increased noise.

The planning committee passed the temporary change of use unanimously.

After the hearing, Venezia posted on social media to say they were opening at a date to be announced in December once "finishing touches are complete".