Plans for café and hot yoga studio in Ann Court development

Thursday 09 February 2023

The owners of Downdog café and Hotpod Yoga have submitted a planning application to bring both of their businesses under one roof by opening a wellness centre at the new Ann Court development.

Planning permission is required for a 'change of use' of the unit from a shop to a wellness centre, which would house a café with an al fresco area, and a yoga studio upstairs.

Owners, Megan Whittaker and Adrian Carr, wanted to have their two businesses within the same vicinity since opening the café but weren't able to find the space to do so.

Downdog café is currently located on the corner of Hilgrove Street and Halkett Street serving coffee, freshly-made juices and bagels, whilst the Hotpod Yoga studio is in Ingouville House.

However, due to a recent planning application approval on the site, Ingouville House is due for demolition in the coming months creating the perfect timing to finally bring both businesses together.

Pictured: The ground floor plans for the wellness centre.

Documents submitted as part of the planning application explain that the L-shaped floor plan of the site offers the owners the ability to run the two business as separate entities, with a 'dynamic' space in the centre that can be opened up or closed off as required, whilst sharing facilities.

The plans propose that the café, waiting room, and changing area will be on the ground floor, with the yoga studio located on a new mezzanine level created upstairs.

Pictured: Hotpod Yoga classes take place in an inflatable pod that is heated to 37 degrees celsius.

The full planning application is available online.

A decision is expected at the end of the month.