£1m restaurant could create 40 jobs in Peterborough city centre

Agents acting for leading restaurant chain Côte Brasserie - lured by the growing appeal of Cathedral Square - have submitted a planning application for the change of use of the vacant, former Santander Bank premises in Church Street with a view to opening later this year, possibly the summer.

A drinks licence for the premises has already been granted by the city council.

The proposals involve seating for more than 140 diners on the ground and first floors, with an awning at the front of the building and seating for about a dozen diners outside.

The existing shopfront including access ramp will be retained and painted, although the windows will be replaced with bi-folding doors that can be fully opened to allow the café activity to spill out onto the pavement and “increase the interaction between the building and the public realm”.

A spokeswoman for the company said it was hoped the planning application would be determined next month “ and if all goes well we would then look to open sometime in the summer. “

The cost of refurbishment across three floors of the building would be in the region of £1 million, she added, creating roughly 40 jobs in the local area across the front and back of house roles.

“We’ve been looking for a spot in Peterborough for some time and are very excited to have secured this site just near the stunning cathedral.

“ We believe we will bring something new to the area. We pride ourselves on serving great tasting and great value traditional French brasserie-style food. Our customer service and food quality, combined with our very reasonable prices, sets us apart.”

Côte is the second major player to target the booming Cathedral Square dining quarter in Peterborough, with Wagamama also submitting plans before Christmas for the conversion of three shop units on Long Causeway. Subject to planning approval they would join the likes of Nando’s, Pizza Express, Chimichanga, Bill’s, Argo Lounge, Wildwood and Prezzo.