Key Points
- Plans submitted to Bolton Council propose a new Italian restaurant named Capri in Westhoughton, replacing the closed La Vita Coffee and The Chippy premises.
- The new venture is led by Miraz, owner and executive chef of San Marino Italian Restaurant and Bar in Widnes, with over 10 years of culinary experience.
- The proposal aims to merge two former food outlets into a stylish café and restaurant, enhancing the town centre’s dining options.
- The Westhoughton Masterplan consultation revealed mixed community views on new business and development proposals, including concerns about parking, traffic, and impact on existing businesses.
- The San Marino Mediterranean Restaurant Ltd company, previously associated with Miraz, has undergone recent director changes, with Miraz ceasing as director and person with significant control in 2022.
What are the plans for the new Italian restaurant in Westhoughton?
As reported by Yahoo News, plans have been submitted to Bolton Council for a new Italian restaurant called Capri, spearheaded by the owner of San Marino Italian Restaurant and Bar, Miraz. The proposal involves converting the currently closed premises of La Vita Coffee and The Chippy into a combined café and restaurant venue. This new establishment aims to bring authentic Italian cuisine and a stylish dining experience to Westhoughton’s town centre, enhancing the local hospitality scene.
Miraz, the driving force behind the project, is a seasoned chef with over a decade of experience in traditional Italian cooking. His current restaurant, San Marino in Widnes, is known for its family-run ethos and dedication to serving dishes with ingredients imported directly from Italy. The new Capri restaurant is expected to reflect this same commitment to quality and authenticity.
Who is Miraz and what is his background in the culinary industry?
Miraz is the owner and executive chef of San Marino Italian Restaurant and Bar, located in Widnes town centre. According to San Marino’s official website, Miraz has over 10 years of experience in the culinary industry, specialising in traditional Italian cuisine. He emphasises that cooking is an art and eating a pleasure, striving to create dishes that are both visually appealing and delicious. His expertise and passion underpin the plans for the Capri restaurant in Westhoughton, signalling a continuation of his culinary vision in a new location.
How does the Westhoughton community feel about new developments like Capri?
The Westhoughton Masterplan consultation report, produced by BDP for Bolton Council, provides insight into local community responses to various proposals, including new commercial ventures and housing developments. While the report does not mention Capri specifically, it reflects general community attitudes towards new cafés and business spaces.
The consultation found that just over half of respondents supported proposals to convert surplus town hall space into managed workspaces with a commercial café, recognising the potential benefits for start-ups and business growth. However, some expressed concern about the saturation of cafés in the town centre and the potential negative impact on existing local businesses, as well as worries about parking and congestion.
Comments from residents included:
“Plenty of cafes in the town centre, at least.”
“Another cafe would affect the footfall of the numerous cafes we already have on Market Street.”
“A cafe is not necessary - let any extra business for cafes benefit current high street providers.”
These views highlight a cautious but generally open attitude towards new hospitality ventures, provided they offer something unique and do not exacerbate existing challenges.
What other proposals are part of the Westhoughton Masterplan and how do they relate to the restaurant plans?
The Westhoughton Masterplan consultation also covered proposals for redeveloping key town centre sites, including the Town Hall and potential housing developments on council and private land. Among these were ideas to create managed workspace and café facilities within the Town Hall to support small businesses and start-ups, which aligns with the broader goal of revitalising the town centre’s economy and social spaces.
However, concerns about parking, , and maintaining the character of Market Street were recurrent themes. Some respondents suggested alternative uses for vacant land, such as car parking or leisure spaces, rather than residential development. These concerns are relevant to any new business opening in the area, including Capri, as they reflect the community’s priorities for sustainable growth.
What is the current status of San Marino Mediterranean Restaurant Ltd and Miraz’s role?
Company records from Companies House indicate that San Marino Mediterranean Restaurant Ltd underwent changes in 2022, with Miraz Murat Yolcu ceasing to be a director and person with significant control by September and November 2022 respectively. The company continues to file confirmation statements and accounts, but Miraz’s formal role ended prior to the Capri plans being publicly submitted. This suggests that while Miraz remains the executive chef and owner associated with the San Marino brand, the corporate structure has evolved.
What impact could Capri have on Westhoughton’s dining scene?
The introduction of Capri, under the leadership of an experienced chef like Miraz, could bring a fresh and authentic Italian dining option to Westhoughton. Given Miraz’s track record with San Marino in Widnes, the new restaurant is likely to emphasise quality ingredients and traditional recipes, potentially attracting both local residents and visitors.
However, the mixed community feedback on new cafés and eateries in the town centre underscores the need for Capri to differentiate itself and address concerns about competition and parking. If successful, Capri could enhance the vibrancy of Westhoughton’s hospitality sector and contribute positively to the town’s regeneration efforts.
How does the local authority view these development proposals?
Bolton Council, through its commissioning of the Westhoughton Masterplan and consideration of planning applications like Capri’s, appears committed to balancing economic growth with community needs. The council’s approach includes stakeholder engagement and public consultations to ensure that developments align with local priorities such as supporting start-ups, maintaining heritage, and managing infrastructure pressures.
The Capri restaurant proposal fits within this framework as a business venture that could complement other town centre regeneration initiatives. The council’s planning decision will likely weigh the potential benefits against community feedback and logistical considerations.
The planned Capri Italian restaurant in Westhoughton represents an exciting new chapter for the town’s dining options, led by Miraz, a chef with a strong reputation in the region. While community opinions on new cafés are mixed, the proposal aligns with broader regeneration goals to revitalise the town centre. The outcome of planning decisions and how Capri addresses local concerns will determine its impact on Westhoughton’s economic and social landscape.