PLANS have been drawn up for the partial rebuilding and extension of the canal-side Sanctuary Café attached to Lymm United Reformed Church.
The proposals aim to make people more aware of the café’s existence – currently “hidden” between two larger local landmarks, the church and Lymm Library.
They would highlight the entrance to the café without detracting from local heritage assets – the church and the library.
A report submitted to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department says the development would seek to slightly increase the footprint of the building and reconfigure its layout.
It states: “Previous development has led to some undesirable internal layouts, dark internal spaces and unusual proportioned rooms which make the functioning of the café and the church awkward.
“Kitchen space is small and storage space is not sufficient, as all the equipment essential for keeping the café running is allocated in almost every single room, which is very inconvenient and somewhat disorganised.”
The proposals would include a larger kitchen and also seek to improve the current entrance to the church.
The café – which also serves as the church hall and a bookshop – will be modernised and a Juliet balcony overlooking the adjacent Bridgewater Canal will be added.
A number of poor quality trees will have to be removed but the existing car park will remain unchanged.
Borough council planners are now studying the proposals.
