A business owner has re-submitted plans to convert an empty Macclesfield pub into a convenience store after the proposal was refused by Cheshire East planners in the summer.

Mirza Umar wants to change the use of Last Orders on Park Lane from public house to convenience store.

The scheme also includes alterations of the entrance and the formation of a disabled access.

A design and access statement (DAS) submitted with the application says the existing external features of the building will remain.

The original application was refused in August, on the recommendation of the council's planners.

They said the submitted sequential assessment did not provide enough information to show there are no available suitable sites in more sequentially preferable locations.

A sequential assessment submitted by AKA Planning with this latest application concludes: "The results of this [latest] test have not revealed any properties that are for sale for use as a convenience store of the scale proposed.

"The proposal is a sustainable small shop, on a mixed commercial street, replacing another town centre use, serving the residents that surround it that has no effect on local centres (as sequentially tested) and has no impact on, and could not survive in, Macclesfield town centre."

Last Orders closed its doors for the final time in October 2025.

The DAS submitted by Northern Design on behalf of the applicant, states: "The premises has had several tenants.

"All have tried to make a success but this was not possible due to economic factors, the change of habits and the high cost of living, energy and inflation."

It says when the pub closed a new landlord could not be found to run it and the owners, Amber Taverns, have been trying for some time to find a buyer for the property working with commercial agents.

The applicant, who owns some convenience stores in the North West, purchased the premises in November 2025.

The proposal is for the shop to be open Monday to Friday from 7am to 11pm; on Saturdays from 8am to 11pm and between 9am and 8pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

The application, number 26/3648/FUL, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.

It is due to be determined by a planning officer under delegated authority and the last date for comments is November 9.