Benedicto's gets go-ahead for two-storey extension

The development will allow Benedicto’s in Sidbury to build a new ground-floor bar and coffee shop.

The extension will also house an extended kitchen area, an accessible toilet and five guest rooms on the first floor.

Worcester Civic Society said the planned extension to the grade II listed building would look “out of place” and a number of neighbours objected to the proposal.

City planners have allowed the extension (Image: Lett + Sweetland Architects)

One said the building was “already an eyesore” and said the extension would further interrupt their view of the cathedral.

And Quita Morgan objected to the loss of parking spaces at King Street car park.

But city planning officers have now approved the proposal.

Benedicto’s is buying land that currently forms part of the car park from Worcester City Council to make way for the development.

Two parking spaces will be lost permanently, ticket machines and signs will need to be moved and the pedestrian entrance from Sidbury will be ‘reconfigured’ according to a planning report.

The Italian restaurant is set to build an extension (Image: Google Maps)

A further 18 spaces will be lost for a year while construction work takes place and another six will be closed for a month when the payment machines are moved.

Benedicto’s said it is looking to cater for people looking to meet for a drink as well as those wanting a more formal meal.

The bar area is intended to host customers when they arrive and will address the restaurant’s current lack of space in its entrance area, which at busy times sees queues spilling out onto the street.

The extension will also allow the restaurant to host group bookings and small events for up to 20 people “in a discrete space served from the first floor”.

The new bar area will seat about 15 to 18 people, according to the plans, and the new dining area will provide the restaurant with a further 16 covers, as well as doubling up as a party space.