Ocean Bells Café to double in size under new plans

Ocean Bells Coffee in High Street has submitted a pair of planning applications to grow the business after a 30 per cent boost to sales compared with pre-pandemic.

The proposals appeared on the Watford Borough Council planning portal yesterday (November 27) and, together, would see it take over the former Shakeaway unit next-door.

• Jury listens to attack recording in Watford murder trial
• Wanted man linked to Watford in police appeal
• Will the Pryzm site become housing?

Since the neighbouring store has an alley to atria Watford at the side, it also proposed that tables and chairs be installed there.

Owner Jon Cao said: “We want to double our space. We hope that by expanding to next-door we can provide more space for customers to come in and enjoy the great coffee and fresh brunch.”

Ocean Bells has been trading in the unit since 2014 and Mr Cao recently leased the Shakeway unit.

If the plan is approved by the council, part of the wall dividing the two units will be knocked down to join them together.
Ocean Bells Coffee and the neighbouring Shakeway unit. (Image: Ocean Bells Coffee/Instagram)

New signs for Ocean Bells are proposed outside the new unit, which would also be painted the same colour as the existing café.

Drawings submitted alongside the plan suggest the store would appear as two separate mirror-image units from the exterior.