A NEW bar combining an Italian restaurant with a 1930s-themed bar has been granted permission in the town centre.

Big Benny Bing’s Café Paradiso will be the latest addition to Witton Street when it opens up in mid-May, taking over from the former Co-op pharmacy near WH Smith.

The bold new venture will include an eclectic array of decorations, with an offering of breakfast, Italian food and live entertainment on the weekends.

Alexander Jones, the man behind the venture, says it will bring something completely different to Northwich.

He said: “When you walk in you are in Big Benny’s Bar, and you go up a flight of steps to the Café Paradiso.

“We have Victorian glass cabinets with memorabilia from the Italian Job, boxers and jazz musicians. At Café Paradiso, we have got an all-day menu with cooked breakfast, businessman’s lunches through the day.

“There will be £60k worth of memorabilia to go in. All the tables and chairs are originals from the 1930s, and we have 160-year-old church pews to go in all the way around.

“The design looks like it has been there since the year dot. We are really excited.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council granted the development ‘change of use’ permission on April 4, paving the way for the bar to set about making the final preparations ahead of its grand opening.

Planning officer Jason McElhoney said: “The proposed change of use is considered acceptable given the sites location within Northwich town centre.

“It is considered that the proposed change of use would help to maintain the vitality and viability of this location.”

The council added that slight amendments have been made following comments about the conservation area, including retaining the original front door of the building.

Alexander said: “We rent the building from the council and their initiative with us has been fantastic. They’ve been great and their support has been fantastic.”

The bar will only open in the evenings Wednesday to Saturday, with Friday and Saturday being cabaret evenings.

Fridays are set for jazz and blues nights, and Saturdays for Sinatra and big band swing nights.