A COCKTAIL and coffee bar has been agreed for an empty Poundbury building.

The site, in Crown Square, had originally been intended for shop or office use, but a change to a coffee and cocktail bar has now been approved by Dorset Council.

The planning consent will limit the opening hours from 7am until 11pm on Monday to Saturday and 7am to 4pm on Sunday and public holidays.

Planners made the restriction in recognition of flats above and adjacent to the two units on the corner of the Crown Hall building in Crown Square.

The application for the two, currently un-used commercial units, came from Poole-based developers Morrish Homes, one of the long-standing developers of the Duchy of Cornwall estate.

Combined, the two units come to just under 100 square metres.

If it goes ahead the business is expected to employ up to three staff.

Dorset Council environmental health say that a noise assessment will be required with any noise attenuation recommended by the survey having to be approved before opening. A similar survey may be required to deal with any odours from the new use.