Wallis & Co cocktail bar at Hartlepool Marina bids to expand - live music, beer pong and photo booth among plans

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department by bosses at Wallis & Co for the expansion of their cocktail bar at Navigation Point.

For the past four years Wallis & Co have been running their cocktail bar from unit 14 at the site, and the plans are to expand into the newly vacant 15 Navigation Point.

The plans also include gaining retrospective planning permission for changing the use of unit 14 from a shop, to the existing cocktail bar.

The extension would provide extra seating for up to 20 people, an area for dancing and live music, space for beer pong, an interactive photo booth and more, according to the plans.

Furthermore it would offer a potential VIP area, an additional small bar and more toilet facilities, while an outdoor seating area would also be provided to the front, with loose tables and chairs.

A planning statement, submitted on behalf of the applicant, states the plans would improve the site and be in keeping with the area.

It said: “The overall purpose of the development is for the expansion of the existing already trading Wallis & Co cocktail bar venue at Unit 14, into the newly vacant premises at Unit 15.

“It is felt that the development will bring a more efficient use of the site…given its ideal location.

“The design has used the surrounding developments for aesthetic reason in order to harmonise with the area.

“There are no major environmental restrictions to the site and it lends itself well for the proposed use.”

Plans also note the extension would provide an extra one full-time job and four part-time roles.

Externally plans state the extension would retain a similar front to how it is presently, although it would be ‘upgraded’, and there would be a small internal opening between units from unit 14.

Nearby unit 12a at Navigation Point is also home to the restaurant element of the Wallis & Co brand, and there are two connecting links for service and customers to unit 14.

However that site is not proposed to be impacted by the latest planning application.

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals later this month by the council planning department.

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