Planning permission for a new cocktail bar with a ‘relaxed jazz vibe’ has been granted.
In summer 2020 a planning application was submitted to turn a Grade II-listed building at 45 St Mary’s Street, Wallingford, into a drinking establishment.
The building dates to 1850 and it has historically been used as a shop. It was last used as a shop by tenant Rides on Air which vacated the property in August 2011.
Now, future bar owner Jack Linkner has been granted change of use planning permission for the new Wallingford drinking establishment.
Mr Linaker envisions the new bar to be called Soiree, he wants it to be ‘fantastically relaxed’ with table service for cocktails and small plates. Soiree is also set to boast live music and a private function room.
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The bar owner hopes to open the bar in July,but admitted he has a lot of work to do on the interior before then.
Mr Linkner wants to partner with businesses in the area. He said: “We are looking to form partnerships with other local businesses, taxi firms and other restaurants and drinks establishments in the area. Part of the post Covid world is about helping each other out.”
Although the bar will not have any outside seating Mr Linkner has put various capacity plans in place which are in line with government guidelines; however, he does not feel at a loss without the outside seating. He said: “We are only an indoor establishment, the weather in Wallingford and the setting we are in doesn’t really lend itself to outdoor cocktails.”
Mr Linkner envisions the cocktail bar as an evening destination, perfect for dates and relaxed gathering with friends with live music.
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He said: “We have had some performers reach out to us already and we are very keen to show off local talent. We just want it to be a fantastically relaxed, sophisticated and up-market.”
Some residents in the area were concerned the new drinking establishment would bring noise and anti-social behaviour to the area and wrote objections on the planning application.
Jean Flavell, who lives in a flat above the bar wrote an objection on the planning application before it was approved.
She said: “Many of the nearby properties including our flat above have single glazed windows which give poor sound insulation and are unable to change to double glazed because of their Grade II Listings.
“The noise from the proposed new drinking establishment will cause more disturbance to nearby residents.”
Mr Linkner has assured that these problems have been overcome and they have no restrictions on the licence in terms of music and performance in Soiree.
Soiree is now seeking cocktail waiting staff, mixologists and managers.
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