A Dorchester coffee shop is hoping to extend its use to include an evening ‘bistro’ with an emphasis on vegetarian and vegan food.

Prospective new operators want to change Café Meru in Weymouth Avenue by re-categorizing its planning consent to include restaurant use. It is currently listed only for retail.

Their application says this would allow them to operate the business much as it currently does in the day selling hot drinks and snacks, but to run it as a bistro in the evenings.

No internal changes are being proposed with the idea to serve food every evening until 9pm during the summer season and on only Friday and Saturday nights for the rest of the year.

Comments on the proposed change of use can be made to Dorset Council by March 17th. A final decision is expected to be made by a planning officer.