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They said it would introduce “interest and vitality” to the “dated” area.
A report by a Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council conservation officer supports the plan for Carly’s gift shop in the High Street.
There are further restrictions on the plan as it is in a conservation area. The report is to the council’s conservation advisory committee.
The scheme will need final permission to change the use of the shop by the council.
The report says the move will increase visitors to the premises and “any increase in customers is generally held to improve the vitality and vibrancy of a High Street”.
The outlet would have more than 50 seats inside and seating outside on the pavement about two metres deep.
It would open from 7am to 7pm most days but the firm wants the option to open as late as 10pm.
The conservation officer says: “There is a potential for noise and disturbance to occur, which arguably might arise as a consequence of the external seating area.
“However, given that Knowle already has an established night time economy, any impact would relate to neighbour amenity as opposed to specific and clearly identifiable harm towards the character and appearance of the conservation area.”
It says the external seating area would “introduce some interest and vitality to what is currently a wide, standard paved pavement”.
It adds: “This particular part of the High Street’s pavement is somewhat lacking in visual interest, which is not assisted by the dated appearance of the adjacent shopfronts”.
The report concludes: “The proposed change of use and external seating area would not harm the significance of the designated heritage asset or character and appearance of the conservation area.”
It recommends the committee raise no objection to the plan.
Carly’s has said it will move into the former Katie Joyce furniture shop next to Natwest bank.
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