A “unique and thriving” work café at Charing Cross is set to expand further, if given the green light by Planning.
Based at the former Thomas Cook at 13-15 Charing Cross, the Santander Work Café – a relaxed banking, coffee shop, meeting room and co-working concept – first opened in 2020 on the ground and first floors of the building.
Well-known café chain Cargo were appointed to operate the barista area.
Five years on, Santander says the concept, which at the time was the “first of its kind” in Jersey, has been “highly successful”.
They say it has become “very popular with small businesses and remote workers”, which is why the bank is now looking to expand onto another floor “to provide additional space for customers and help to promote local business”.
The bank has now submitted a planning application to change the second floor from a formal office space, replicating “the facilities provided on the first floor at present which include open, shared, office space and meeting spaces for hire”.
The bank says that around 20 staff currently work there, but that they would be relocated to its office at Rutland House on Pitt Street, above Superdrug, which was described as “currently under-occupied”.
In a statement submitted as part of the application, the bank argues that the application would support retail in the area, as the Work Café is already a place to “bank, eat, drink, meet, work and participate in community events”.
It also notes that no external alterations to the building will be required.
The application, which has been marked as ‘Major’ by the Planning Department, is under consideration and will be decided at a later date.