Inside the Grounded in Bedminster
Although Grounded’s plans for a café bar in Keynsham have hit problems, its plans to open in Fishponds have now been approved.
Permission was granted by Bristol City Council this week for the empty premises at 747-749 Fishponds Road to become the latest in the Grounded chain.
Grounded will have an enclosed seating area at the front which it says will enliven the street, plus a “quiet tranquil secret garden” at the back.
It is expected that 22 staff will be taken on to work at the new café bar.
The founder of the Grounded chain, Tobie Holbrook, said he was very excited that planning permission had been granted and he hoped it would be open in the spring.
There are Grounded cafés in Redfield, Brislington, Bedminster, Horfield and in Corsham. Grounded has a policy to promote and encourage local musicians and artists and the venues host regular acoustic music performances.
The proposed Keynsham café bar
The application to convert the old Lloyds Bank building in Keynsham High Street into a Grounded was recently deferred by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s development control committee, despite being recommended for approval by planning officers.
The main issues for concern revolved around the building’s proximity to the sheltered homes in Back Lane – especially the proposed rear garden of the café bar, which would open late, the proximity to the Baptist Church and the impact on the conservation area from new folding glass doors proposed at the front.
