Tearoom plans for former school turned auction house

Bishton Hall, a Grade II* Listed manor house that dates back to the 18th century, was previously home to the independent St Bede’s School near Colwich.

In March Hansons Auctioneers was granted planning permission to change the use of the site, which has become home to its Staffordshire salerooms.

Now the Etwall-based firm is looking to offer visitors refreshments on site by opening a tearoom.

A fresh planning application has been put forward to Stafford Borough Council for change of use of some of the buildings on the site to provide café, retail and office space. There are no alterations proposed for the hall itself however.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said: “The change of use is proposed for a low range of buildings behind Bishton Hall. They were formerly stables, then classrooms, then auction rooms – currently part of the whole site which is being used by Hanson’s Auctioneers. The buildings will not be altered externally, the proposal is for a change of use.

“The change of use is also proposed for the former auction room, which was a stable and coach house, then chapel and vestry. Its current use is as an auction room.

“The café/tearoom proposed is to have 60 covers and be situated in the former chapel now auction room. The operating times for the café will coincide with that of the auction house so as to work in tandem with it and provide a place for refreshments.

“The proposed retail bothes are to be for craft shop with offices on the first floor. All proposed units will be used within the working hours of the auction house.

“The proposal will make the current space around the courtyard (a) charming place for visitors to the auction house. The auction house is already an appropriate and pleasing use of the Grade II* listed building and the change of use to a tearoom, craft bothes and offices will be a sympathetic and appropriate use.”