Leading Greek coffee chain to reinvent 'remarkable' yet forgotten city centre building
24.08.2023 - 07:55
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A Greek coffee shop chain is hoping to breathe new life into a ‘remarkable’ forgotten building just off Piccadilly Gardens.
Colwyn Chambers used to host the Toni & Guy salon on Mosley Street, near to the Piccadilly Gardens bus station. However, that unit in the 1898 grade-II listed building has sat vacant for some time now, and Coffee Lab wants to take it over.
The firm has more than 100 locations in Greece but also has scores of stores in the Middle East. Closer to home, there are Coffee Labs in Buckshaw, Lancashire, and Withington.
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New planning documents show the company ‘aims to transform the currently vacant ground floor, previously a beauty salon, into a vibrant café’. It wants to respect the architectural value of Colwyn Chambers, a design and access statement added.
“Constructed in 1898 by J.Gibbon Sankey, the building was formerly the headquarters of the Lancashire Mercantile Bank and is now occupied by various shops, a restaurant, and offices,” the firm went on. “The building is a remarkable example of Neo-Baroque style architecture, featuring Portland stone with polished granite on the ground floor and a slate roof.
“The rectangular plan on the end-of-block site, with chamfered corners, adds to its unique architectural character. The building was designed for the Mercantile Bank and served as their city centre premises until the mid-20th century.
“The building later became shops and offices and was partially converted to restaurant and bars in the 1970s. In the late 1980s, an extensive facade retention scheme was consented, resulting in the total loss of all interiors to the building.”
Currently, the public can