A POPULAR Chinese restaurant in the city is looking to expand into the bridal store next door.

Singapore Restaurant, in Friar Street, wants to create an opening between the restaurant and the former Perfections Bridal Outlet store.

Perfections Bridal Outlet stopped trading at number 27 in April 2018. 

Perfections Bridal Studio is still trading from their second premises at 46 Friar Street and the business is unaffected. 

If its plans get the go-ahead, the business would be able to cater for an extra 40 customers.

The plan has been welcomed as a boost to economic growth in area.

A heritage officer on the planning team at Worcester City Council said: “The work to both properties are negligible and reversible. With minimum intervention, both properties will continue to be sustainable and continue to offer economic growth.

“The proposals will ensure the continued use of this historical and locally important building without creating any detrimental harm to the building, arguably as an extension to number 2, the building will be appreciated by a greater audience than at present.”

Fiona Allen, development control engineer, on behalf of Karen Hanchett, transport planning and development management officer at the county council, offered no objection.

She said: “The highway authority has undertaken a robust assessment of the planning application. Based on the analysis of the information submitted and consultation responses from third parties the highway authority concludes that there would not be a severe impact and therefore there are no justifiable grounds on which an objection could be maintained.”

In a noise impact report, David Ling, of Aran Acoustics, said: “An assessment of the sound insulation performance of proposed party floor construction separating the ground floor dining area from residential units has been undertaken.

“Results of the assessment shows that the airborne sound insulation of the upgraded party floor is sufficient to reduce noise levels from the dining room activities to below the recommended guidelines for both day and night time noise levels.”

The city council archaeological officer said there were “no issues” arising from the application.

Both buildings are Grade II listed and within the Historic City Conservation Area.

The building had served as a bridal outlet shop since at least the mid 80s.

Singapore Restaurant has been at the site since the mid 90s.

The restaurant has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Facebook, with 63 out of 70 reviewers rating it 5 stars.

The Food Standards Agency rated the eatery four out of five for food hygiene in July 2017.