Raw cookie dough cafe set to open in The Rock in Bury

Plans have been unveiled for a ‘unique’ new town centre café selling ‘edible, raw cookie dough’.

Documents published by Bury Council this week reveal plans for ‘the first branch of Rawkies’ at number 8, The Rock, which was formerly an apprenticeship training centre.

The plans for Rawkies state: “The intention is to set up a dessert café, specialising in cookies with a unique twist, serving edible raw cookie dough prepared safely, with an ice cream parlour style service, alongside a hot drink, food and bar menu.

“Alongside the main offering of Rawkies, due to the floor plan of the ground floor of the site, the intention is to add an events offering for the downstairs area for small meetings, receptions and dinners.

“We’d like to add an alcohol menu to the offering; we are hoping we would be allowed to apply for a premise license.

“Events will be limited to the capacity that can fit in the downstairs spacing, which currently sits at 26 covers for a dining menu experience, 20 covers for meetings and 50 for a canapé reception menu.”

The application revealed aspirations for the potential Bury branch to be the start of an expanding franchise.

The planning statement said: “Rawkies aims to be a high fast serve, street food dessert concept unique in the current market, that with the correct image, operation and branding could be positioned into a leading franchise.

“The first branch of Rawkies will be operated in store with Uber Eats and Just Eat delivery. Its concept is the answer to enjoying raw cookie dough from the bowl, safely and adding a new twist on an established concept.

“In addition to the raw cookie dough, Rawkies will include on the menu other quirky desserts, cheese boards, hot drinks, cold sandwiches and cocktails. Hot food is limited to a flat-bread and burger menu.”

Number 8, The Rock, which is within the Bury town centre conservation area, used to be a pub.

For around two years recently the tenant was the North Lancashire Training Group Ltd, a non-residential training centre for young people.

The building has been unoccupied for the past five months. Bury Council will now consider whether to approve the change of use for the building.