News: Plans for two new Rotherham restaurants on the table
Two empty properties in Rotherham town centre could be converted into restaurants under sets of plans submitted to the council.
Two sets of applicants are hoping to get permission to change the use of the former bank premises fronting College Street, and the former Hedonism nightclub at Westgate.
On 16 - 20 College Street, plans have been submitted on behalf of Jersey real estate firm, Kitchcap (Abbey) LLP for a change of use at the vacant bank and adjacent premises operated by national retailer, Game. Solicitors, Foys also operates from the building.
Drawn up by consultants, RJ Planning, the application would enable a restaurant and bar to operate over 5,000 sq ft of floorspace on the basement, ground and first floor, opening until 3am.
An occupier is not named but plans state that if approved, a restaurant and pub could create ten new jobs. The premises have been empty since 2014 when Santander went from three premises on the same street, to one.
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The plans state: "The proposed use is considered to be an appropriate town centre use, which compliments the existing town centre offer. The location next to All Saints' Square means that it is an ideal location for a restaurant and bar.
"There is a high vacancy rate within Rotherham and an A3 and A4 use is considered to be a sustainable town centre use which would make use of an existing brownfield site."
The building is within the town centre conservation area but no alterations to the design and build of the property are proposed. The entrance would be from College Street.
As part of the proposals, the applicant is likely to install soundproofing between the internal walls and ceilings - "This will ensure that noise travel is controlled and does not harm the other occupiers of the building who will work within the building during normal working hours."
Measures to control litter, odour and crowding are also discussed.
The plans conclude: "The proposed change of use makes use of a vacant unit, located within a focal point of the town centre and will act as an anchor to .. encourage people to visit the town centre. The proposed uses would serve to compliment the existing retail uses surrounding the site and help draw tourists and visitors into the town centre."
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Rothbiz reported that Hedonism, formerly Mazeppa, closed last month following the conclusion of the sale of the prominent building at the foot of Ship Hill.
The freehold of the property was put up for sale by leisure property specialist Fleurets "due to the pending retirement of the owner and presents an opportunity for new owners to develop and promote trade at a well presented and equipped nightclub on the circuit."
The freehold of the property went on the market for £360,000 and included space rented out to an adjacent nightclub and takeaway.
Now plans have been submitted by Progressive Retail Solutions Ltd that would see a change of use for around 7,000 sq ft of floorspace which would enable "the fitting out the current shell within the ground and first floors of the existing building to form a new restaurant" with a new kitchen, bar, toilets and front of house furniture.
The restaurant is proposed to be open from 9am through to 1am. The plans state: "The restaurant will therefore cater for breakfast, lunchtime, dinner and later night trade. It has been observed by the applicant that there is a gap in the market for a late night restaurant that specifically caters for customer that do not wish to purchase takeaways or that would prefer to have a sit down meal after a night out. This is why the restaurant requires the later opening hours than usual to capitalise on this trade."
Images: PJ Planning
Two sets of applicants are hoping to get permission to change the use of the former bank premises fronting College Street, and the former Hedonism nightclub at Westgate.
On 16 - 20 College Street, plans have been submitted on behalf of Jersey real estate firm, Kitchcap (Abbey) LLP for a change of use at the vacant bank and adjacent premises operated by national retailer, Game. Solicitors, Foys also operates from the building.
Drawn up by consultants, RJ Planning, the application would enable a restaurant and bar to operate over 5,000 sq ft of floorspace on the basement, ground and first floor, opening until 3am.
An occupier is not named but plans state that if approved, a restaurant and pub could create ten new jobs. The premises have been empty since 2014 when Santander went from three premises on the same street, to one.
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The plans state: "The proposed use is considered to be an appropriate town centre use, which compliments the existing town centre offer. The location next to All Saints' Square means that it is an ideal location for a restaurant and bar.
"There is a high vacancy rate within Rotherham and an A3 and A4 use is considered to be a sustainable town centre use which would make use of an existing brownfield site."
The building is within the town centre conservation area but no alterations to the design and build of the property are proposed. The entrance would be from College Street.
As part of the proposals, the applicant is likely to install soundproofing between the internal walls and ceilings - "This will ensure that noise travel is controlled and does not harm the other occupiers of the building who will work within the building during normal working hours."
Measures to control litter, odour and crowding are also discussed.
The plans conclude: "The proposed change of use makes use of a vacant unit, located within a focal point of the town centre and will act as an anchor to .. encourage people to visit the town centre. The proposed uses would serve to compliment the existing retail uses surrounding the site and help draw tourists and visitors into the town centre."
Advertisement
Rothbiz reported that Hedonism, formerly Mazeppa, closed last month following the conclusion of the sale of the prominent building at the foot of Ship Hill.
The freehold of the property was put up for sale by leisure property specialist Fleurets "due to the pending retirement of the owner and presents an opportunity for new owners to develop and promote trade at a well presented and equipped nightclub on the circuit."
The freehold of the property went on the market for £360,000 and included space rented out to an adjacent nightclub and takeaway.
Now plans have been submitted by Progressive Retail Solutions Ltd that would see a change of use for around 7,000 sq ft of floorspace which would enable "the fitting out the current shell within the ground and first floors of the existing building to form a new restaurant" with a new kitchen, bar, toilets and front of house furniture.
The restaurant is proposed to be open from 9am through to 1am. The plans state: "The restaurant will therefore cater for breakfast, lunchtime, dinner and later night trade. It has been observed by the applicant that there is a gap in the market for a late night restaurant that specifically caters for customer that do not wish to purchase takeaways or that would prefer to have a sit down meal after a night out. This is why the restaurant requires the later opening hours than usual to capitalise on this trade."
Images: PJ Planning
7 comments:
Its good idea but i dont see it kick off, has we got so many take away places.
Read the article again -these are for restaurants / bars, not take always ! I wish them every success. Any ideas/rumors who will be operating them ROTHBIZ ?
I think it's just what we need in town centre, we only have an Indian restaurant on wellgate and the two Chinese restaurants are on the outskirts of town.
No clues yet as to operators.
I hope an occupier is lined up but the College Street unit has new property agents so they may just be trying to drum up interest...
THE HEDONISM SPACE WONT WORK AS THERE ARE NO CARPAKING FACILITIES . ALSO THE BAR PLAN FOR THE OLD SANTANDER IS POINTLESS AS THE TOWNS NIGHTLIFE IS ON ITS LAST LEGS.
There is free parking at the old tesco less than 5 mins walk away also on street at night is free, The nightlife in Rotherham is these days very poor, If the cinema plans ever materialize then it can only help to bring people back to town-don't hold your breath though !
Come on Rotherham. The town centre is falling bŷ the way side. There are more resterants and bars in wickersley than in the town centre. People need to feel safe and confident that they will get a good night out for the hard earned cash. If not they will stay in with a take away, cheap drinks from the supermarket and watch Xfactor. Rotherham has a massive population that are choosing to go to Sheffield over Rotherham as Rotherham has little to offer apart from wetherspoons and an Italian resterant (which is good). I hope the council are working with branded names to get them into the town centre and if there not look at helping independents come into the town to bring back the business it once had. I'm proud to be from Rotherham and I'm choosing to ignore the negative noise around the place. As a Rotherham resident I feel we should work together to get it back on the map. I work for a drinks supplier that actively look to invest into new businesses in the bar & resterant sector. Bring people back into the town centre by offering them something good!
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