Mops are set to be swapped for mochas as plans to transform a former cleaners cupboard into a coffee shop have been given the green light.
North Tyneside Council has given permission to Lee Metcalfe to turn the janitorial closet on the concourse of Monkseaton Metro Station into a place where caffeine craving commuters can get their morning fix.
A planning department report said that Lee’s coffee bar will only take up 31sqm of space with a small number of removable tables and chairs outside.
And because the venture is aimed at Metro users, council bosses are not worried about it taking away trade from town centre businesses.
“The proposed coffee bar will occupy only 31sqm of the Metro station floor area,” the report said.
“It is clear that the proposed coffee bar is to be marketed at Metro users, i.e. commuters, and this would clearly only work in a location such as a Metro station.
“It will improve the facilities on offer at the Metro station for commuters and will not detract from the retail offer in the borough’s town centres.”
To make sure residents of nearby Earsdon Road aren’t disturbed, the local authority say the shop can only be open for business between 6.30am and 9pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 9pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
Additionally, there can no deliveries to the premises or collections from the premises outside of 8am to 9pm on any day.
