Canalside bistro could close if plans approved by Falkirk Council

The change, however, would require scrapping a legal agreement that was put in place by Falkirk Council when planning permission was first granted to Bridge 49 Cafe Bar & Bistro.

The bistro – on the the banks of the Union Canal, close to Muiravonside Country Park and the spectacular Avon Aqueduct – was built on grazing land and opened in May 2013.

At the time, planning consent was granted on condition that the bistro, the manager’s house and three holiday cottages – which have not been built – were regarded as “a package”.

Now, owners Mr and Mrs Maloney say the bistro is no longer “economically viable” and they have submitted a separate planning application to transform it into two cottages.

A planning statement submitted with that application says: “The economic climate post-pandemic has been a struggle for most businesses, and with the cost of supplies increasing the existing business is no longer viable.”

Six objections have been received to the plans, with concerns raised about the closure of the bistro.

But the applicants say that given the shortage of holiday accommodation in the Falkirk area, the benefits of the new accommodation “will far outweigh the loss of the café”.

The application to discharge the legal agreement that would allow the bistro to be considered separately from the manager’s cottage will be heard by Falkirk Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, September 18 at 10 am.

The meeting will also be livestreamed on Falkirk Council’s YouTube channel.