A bit of 'dolce vita' at the Weighbridge?

Wednesday 24 July 2019

An Italian food and wine retailer has put forward plans to bring a little bit of ‘la dolce vita’ to the Weighbridge, with a new aperitif bar.

The owners of Terre d’Italia have applied for permission from the Planning Department to allow them to sell wine by the glass with cold nibbles from the business’s premises, which make the corner between Caledonia Place and Ordnance Yard.

The application, which seeks to recreate the atmosphere of a continental retailer, provides for internal alterations to the shop to create a counter for food and wine, an internal seating area with a wine-tasting machine and four tables outside accommodating eight people.

Pictured: The premises makes the corner between Caledonia Place and Ordnance Yard.

Proposed alterations would also create a public toilet, a staff toilet and a kitchenette for food preparation within the existing footprint.

The shop’s current wine-tasting area, which it is not proposed to use for customers buying alcohol on the premises, could be restricted to private events or closed off entirely when the shop takes advantage of its on-licence, according to the application.

The applicant states that the business is content to restrict numbers to 25 to 30 for alcohol consumption on the premises.

Pictured: The retailer hopes to be able to sell wine by the glass and cold nibbles.

On its website, Terre d’Italia describes itself as “a shop selling Italian wine, food and some lifestyle items… [which is] committed to working with artisans who are passionate about the originality and quality of their products and maintaining the sustainability of agriculture.”