Plans for 'private karaoke experience' at Chester city centre bar

Plans have been lodged to create a “private karaoke experience” at a Chester city centre bar. The upper floor of Northgate’s bar would be transformed into three karaoke rooms available to rent for parties as part of the proposals.

Shafiq Sharif, owner of city centre restaurant business Guroma, is behind the “exciting” venture. A change of use application to transform the third floor – currently used for storage – has been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The application states: “Shafiq Sharif is now looking for a new business venture within the historic walls of Chester to run alongside Guroma. This creates an amazing opportunity to create new employment and create more business on Northgate Street, which will become a worthwhile addition to Chester’s economy.

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“The proposed scheme is to use the existing rooms within the upper floor of Northgate’s Bar on Northgate Street to create a private karaoke experience – something that is missing from Chester’s night life experience and is often sought after by local tourists.

“The application is to alter the usage of the third floor of Northgate’s bar by building two partition stud walls with sound insulation. This will transform the space which is currently used as empty storage rooms, to three karaoke private rooms.

The karaoke rooms would be located on the third floor

“The application is also proposing an addition of a second toilet on the first floor, in order to accommodate for building’s increased capacity.

“The business aims to bring in more trade into the city centre, and enrich the current developing nightlife in Chester. It will also be an opportunity to create new employment opportunities that will serve the karaoke rooms.

“The proposed redesign only effects the internal fabric of the building, so will have no effect from street level or the surrounding topography. The access the upper floor will be via Northgate’s existing upper floor access, and escape routes will also remain unchanged.”

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