New bistro café for Newbury?

Matthew Bray is looking to open a new café bar on Newtown Road, near to Newbury College

A NEW bistro café could be opened near to Newbury College, under new plans submitted to West Berkshire Council.

Matthew Bray has submitted plans to change the use of the former Ho Wah Chinese Takeaway in Newtown Road, to enable him to open up a new café bar that would sell fresh baguettes and sandwiches or wraps, along with alcohol.

At a meeting of Newbury Town Council's planning and highways committee on Monday, Mr Bray said he hoped the bar would have a “Starbucks-style” atmosphere with alcohol, adding that he hoped to open it from around 11.30am to about 11pm during the week and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

He said: “We are mainly aiming at young professionals with wi-fi and coffees.

“We will do baguettes and wraps to cater for the college and all the others around that area.”

Mr Bray added that he was likely to offer student discount on food, but not on alcohol.

Town councillor, Tony Stretton (Con, Clay Hill), said he thought it was a good idea, adding: “I think he is extremely brave in doing this and I think he should be encouraged. I would offer my support to this.”

David Allen (Lib Dem, Victoria) added that he felt it was refreshing to see something that was not like other standard cafés and the town councillors unanimously raised no objections to the plans.

A decision is now due to be made on the plans by West Berkshire Council by March 4.