A NEW artisan coffee shop could open in Windermere if plans submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority get the green light.

Dr Aimee Tilley is seeking permission to change the use of both 1 and 3 Oak Street, with a view to combining the two buildings with an internal connecting door.

Number 3 Oak Street is a premises attached to the rear of the gift shop located at 1 Oak Street. It is currently used as a chapel of rest downstairs and an office upstairs.

In documents submitted to the LDNPA, Dr Tilley wrote: "Windermere is rapidly gaining a great reputation for quality independent food establishments. We would offer a modern barista coffee experience, using local independent coffee roasteries, complemented by a range of gourmet sandwiches, cakes and pastries, with great emphasis on locally sourced produce, which we feel would complement existing businesses."

She added that she had previously owned a coffee shop and had 'extensive experience' in both setting up such an establishment.

It is anticipated that the new cafe would create two full-time jobs and six part-time jobs.

"Combining the two premises would enable us to have a far more efficient, hygienic and safer use of space for food preparation," Dr Tilley wrote. "The extent of building works to combine the two building is minimal, simply necessitating the reinstatement of an internal door."

The applicant has proposed the new cafe would open seven days a week, from 9am-5pm on Monday-Saturday and 9am-4.30pm on Sunday.