If plans for a new Pret a Manger in Upper Street are to be passed, the town hall would need to go against planning guidance.

The trendy cafe wants to open in Northway House, an old office building next to The White Swan and yards from Highbury and Islington Station – an area set to be pedestrianised later this year as part of the Highbury Corner gyratory removal.

Planning laws state there should be no loss of office space in an “employment growth area” like Upper Street, which could present a problem.

But town hall officers have said the new business moving into the space would add to the “vitality and viability of [the] local shopping area.”

“Whilst the loss of office space is undesirable, it must be noted that the uppers floors and basement would retain their current [office] function,” they added.

Councillors on Islington’s planning committee will decide the fate of the Pret application at the town hall on Monday.