PLANS have been submitted for a striking new transparent cafe and cocktail bar in Princesshay.
Lloyd's Kitchen, which owns a neighbouring cafe and restaurant, wants to transform part of Catherine Square above the public toilets to create a glass-fronted outlet where an existing outside cafe is currently located.
The structure would allow "maximum transparency" to maintain views across and through the square.
A sliding door system would mean three sides of the structure would be fully openable.
A supporting letter to the city council's planning committee states: "Key to the proposals are to maintain an open and permeable site in order that the feeling of a public square is not lost.
"The proposed building is seen as a lightweight, low impact insertion over approximately half of the square, anchored to the corner of the existing public convenience entrance.
"The operation of the cafe/bar use aims to use the folding, sliding glazed screens to provide protection from the elements only in the most inclement months."
The letter, from architects Hand Drawn Home, states that the outlet should be seen as an important addition to Exeter's current nightspots.
It adds: "It is hoped that this new venue will be welcomed as a positive addition to the city centre's currently limited cocktail bar and lounge offer.
"The applicants very much see the venue as a pre/post dinner venue offering a relaxed setting for drinks and meeting friends.
"This particular scale of cafe bar is a diversification that has been highlighted by the applicants as lacking in the city centre.
"Being a city centre site with no immediate residential neighbours the proposals would be to allow low level music to be played to improve the ambiance of the cocktail lounge feeling in the evenings.
"The cafe bar will be light and modern with fold back glass curtain walls on the sides and in keeping with its surroundings.
The style is described as "smart, classy and tastefully decorated, while remaining relaxed and comfortable, maximising the great location".
It concludes: "The proposals will support the conservation and use of land within the city centre and contribute to the daytime and nighttime offer."
The outlet wants to open from Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 4pm and 4pm to 11.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
Four full time and seven part time additional jobs would be created.
