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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
David Humphreys

Former Natwest building empty for five years to become restaurant

A grade II listed former bank building in Liverpool city centre is to finally be put back into use.

A proposal has been made to Liverpool Council ’s planning committee for the ground floor of the former Natwest buildings on Castle Street to be repurposed as a bar and restaurant. The site was vacated by the bank almost five years ago and has been empty ever since.

The buildings date back to around 1900 and are internally linked at all floor levels, are formed around a large central lightwell which starts at first floor level, fronting Castle Street and backing onto Lower Castle Street. The plans would link the two mooted venues at ground floor level.

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According to documents submitted to the committee for consideration next Tuesday, the premises’ ground floor would provide the customers’ dining and bar areas and two accessible toilets while the basement would provide toilets, staff office, kitchens and waste storage. Planning permission is also sought for the installation of two full-height bi-folding glazed doors.

Separate applications have also been submitted for the conversion of part of the ground floor and whole of the upper floors and basement from vacant office spaces into a hotel, and a two storey roof extension. Concerns have been raised by city centre ward councillors Nick Small and Christine Banks about the impact on residents in neighbouring buildings during construction and once the operation of the new ventures begin.

The councillors said they had no objection in principle for the change of use but “appropriate conditions” must be put in place to ensure noise and disturbance is minimised. The documentation added that when development becomes operational, Sweeting Street residents would like to be in receipt of a direct access number as part of an operational management plan to ensure that if on occasion “our right to amenity is affected we can pursue recourse.”

Residents have also requested the “works should be sympathetic to the heritage of the area given this is a listed building.” Given the listing of the building, Historic England were consulted on the plans but did not raise objections.

Summarising the plans, council officers said: “It is considered that the proposed development is acceptable from a land use perspective as the proposed uses are considered complementary to the Main Office Area and would not undermine the Council’s objectives for the area. The proposal would also bring back into use the vacant ground floors and basement of two substantial listed buildings at a highly sustainable location bringing added vitality to the area outside of office hours.”

It has been recommended that councillors approve the application when they meet at Liverpool Town Hall next week.

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