The Electric Church venue in Blackburn may transform into a Karak Chaii teashop with office space above.
A company called Aya Services Ltd wants to make changes. They want the ground floor to be a teashop, and the upper floor could become office space. They asked the council for permission. Urban Future created a report for the application.
They want to change the building’s use, going from a bar to a teashop. The shopfront might also get a makeover.
The building is currently empty. It used to be a music venue that opened late at night. The new plan aims to actually use the space, with a nice teashop downstairs and offices on the upper floor.
The teashop will serve “Karak Chaii,” tea like you find in Delhi’s markets. They will also offer snacks with the tea. People can drink and eat there or take it to go.
The owners hope to get customers from nearby places. Offices, businesses, and stores are all around. The teashop and office fit well in the town center, and the plan suits the area.
This location is special because it’s in the Northgate Conservation Area. Some important buildings are very close to it.
The shopfront might be changed to look better. The new windows will let people see inside, creating a vibrant atmosphere. It should create jobs for local people and give customers more choices.
Right now, the building is a late-night venue. The new cafe is a daytime business, which should not bother people as much. The hours will match other stores in the town center.
They will not cook or fry food on the site, only reheat already made food. The shopfront changes will fit in well. These changes will improve the area.