In November last year we reported that that the owners of Silk Road - on Telegraph Road - had been granted an alcohol licence for a proposed bar next door but one to Silk Road itself.

The unit that could be converted is the one formerly occupied by a Toni and Guy hairdressing salon. In the middle stands the former Papa John's pizza shop, which is also under the ownership of Shucos Ltd, the parent company of the Silk Road restaurants here in Heswall, and over the water in Liverpool, in Beetham Plaza.

Now the company has submitted a planning application to Wirral Council for the new Heswall cafe bar.

The planning statement says: "The previous ownership was operated as a hairdressers; however the shop has been closed for nearly two years.

"We have secured the lease and have been granted a liquor licence to enable us to operate a café bar.

"We shall be serving brunch, lunch and a limited evening food menu downstairs. Upstairs shall be more of a late lounge and a space we will hire out for special occasions and celebrations.

"The front terrace will have loose furniture which will be brought in of an evening; the back terrace will be enclosed and have more fixed n-bench seating along with loose furniture."

The application for an alcohol licence caused some consternation among nearby residents, with fears of late night drinking and 'rowdiness'.

But Chris Williams of Shucos said his new business would not be like those that were causing any problems in the area, serving food and light beers in its downstairs area.

He added that the new bar would not be for younger people, but would instead cater to people who had eaten in the evening and wanted somewhere else to go for an hour or two after their meal.

The planned opening hours will be: 0800 to midnight Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and 0800 to 0100 on Friday and Saturday.