Lounge restaurant to open in St Anne's Quarter in Norwich

Loungers, which owns the Lounge Cafe Bar and Cosy Club chains, has been granted permission by Norwich City Council to move into an empty unit in the St Anne's Quarter development. 

Those living in the apartment complex raised concerns about increased noise and disorder in the area, which is just yards away from the Queen of Iceni pub and other restaurants.

However, the developers were able to alleviate concerns by agreeing to reduce their proposed opening hours and changing the times alcohol will be served. 

The restaurant will include an outdoor seating area (Image: Denise Bradley) Robert Botkai, representing Loungers, said: "We are not Wetherspoon and any issues to do with the Queen of Iceni are for a different time and place.

"We do not have a crystal ball and we cannot confidently say there will never be an issue at the restaurant. But from past experience I have no reason to believe there will be any problems."

This will be the first business to open at St Anne's Quarter following a £85m regeneration of the riverside site, which is now home to hundreds of apartments. 

Several locals lodged objections with Norwich City Council as they believe the restaurant will worsen issues with anti-social behaviour in the area.

READ MORE: New café plan revealed for tiny Norfolk hamlet of just 50 homes

The Queen of Iceni Wetherspoon pub (Image: Denise Bradley)

However, councillors approved the application at a meeting on Monday after the developers agreed to reduce their proposed opening hours. 

The restaurant, which will be given a name with a local twist, will open from 8am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday and 8am to midnight Friday and Saturday. 

While the company run the Cosy Club in London Street, this will be the first Lounge restaurant in Norwich, with the closest currently in King's Lynn and Bury St Edmunds. 

The venue is set to open its doors next spring.