Waffle bar with 'Instagram zone' set to open near train station

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Plans for a new waffle bar boasting its own ‘Instagram area’ have been given the nod at the third time of asking. Shakedown - which also has restaurants in Withington and Wythenshawe - has finally been granted permission to open a third branch close to Cheadle Hulme railway station, in Stockport.

The chain, also known for its burgers, will take over a former education centre at Metropolitan House, Station Road, following the decision by the council planners. With seating for 24 people, it will feature an Instagram area where customers can photograph themselves with an ‘artistic display’ before sharing their images on social media.

A report to the planning committee said the district centre site was ‘precisely’ where such commercial uses should be encouraged. “In these locations it is expected that eating and drinking establishments will be positioned alongside offices and that such coexistence will not give rise to a loss of amenity to these commercial occupiers,” it adds.

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“It is noted that there is a significantly larger restaurant than that proposed by this application within the ground floor of the office building on the opposite side of Station Road, and that these uses apparently co-exist without adversely impacting on each other.”

Despite officers recommending approval, councillors had twice previously refused to sign off on the plans. In January, Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South members passed the application to the planning committee, citing concerns customer facilities consisted of just one disabled toilet. This was despite being advised it was not a planning consideration.

But when planners met in