New bar with conservatory-style seating coming to Royton as council gives green light

The Latte Lounge Coffee House on Rochdale Road will be transformed into a nightlife venue after receiving the greenlight from Oldham Council.

The former cafe was taken over by Mr Cemal Budak and Mr Veysi Ugur earlier this year, who also own popular food and drinks venue Istanblue on the same road. As part of a refurbishment of the old venue, the new owners will be adding a new glazed extension to the rear of the building, which will become the ‘real selling point’ of the venue, according to Mr Ugur.

“It’s going to spice things up in the local area,” Mr Ugur went on. “It’s not just a bar, it’ll be a chilled-out place to socialise, a good date spot with cocktails. We’ll be able to open and close the roof of the outdoor area in the summer, so people can enjoy their food and coffee out there.”

The venue, which is due to open in the new year, will open from 9am to 2am daily. Though the bar will have to close the conservatory from 9pm due to fears of noise disturbances, the council has decided.

The ‘bistro and lounge’ is in a ‘sustainable location’ with ‘excellent public transport links’ and a nearby public car park, environmental officers noted. The venue neighbours two businesses and backs on to a car park, meaning there is a buffer between the building and residential homes backing onto Park Street.

An officer report notes that a consultation letter was sent out to neighbours and no objections were received.

Speculation has been swirling around the site since the cafe’s sudden closure earlier this year. Some took to social media to complain Royton was turning into a ‘mini Vegas’ after spotting the consultation documents posted in the cafe window.

But others celebrated the news. “I’d rather have a hundred bars than boarded up empty properties,” one resident commented. “The bars bring jobs, other investors, and trade for the other businesses in Royton. It’s only a good thing.”

The venue will also provide new employment for the area, requiring bar, kitchen and maintenance staff.