A VACANT shopping unit on a recently-built housing development is set to become a micro pub.

An application was submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council to change the use of a retail unit off Walker Road in the Winnington Urban Village.

The empty shop has been vacant since the district centre for the urban village opened in 2020.

Only three of the seven units are currently occupied – by Hollybank Veterinary Clinic, Mario's Real Charcoal takeaway and Domino's.

And, after the council granted permission for the change of use of unit five, a further three remain vacant.

In his report recommending approval, a council officer said: "Unit Five is one of the smaller units in a parade of shops and hot-food premises, including a vets, that has recently been constructed as part of the district centre for Winnington Urban Village.

"While the current mix of uses in the smaller units is providing hot food, it is considered there are sufficient other uses, and opportunities for retail and other further uses in the vacant units, that provision of a micro pub would not result in an overdominance of one type of outlet, or lack of opportunity to provide a broad range of facilities."

Once up and running the micro pub's allowed operating hours would be 8am until 11pm, Monday to Sunday.