Proposals to turn a vacant building on the corner of Clayton Street and Newgate Street have been submitted to Newcastle City Council.
Panther Properties Plc want to turn the Grade II listed 36-40 Clayton Street into an 'aparthotel' with 13 serviced apartments above street level and a café/restaurant on the ground floor. The firm says it wants to retain the historic fabric of the building, which previously housed a homeware shop and has now been empty for five years.
The curved corner property was originally built in 1837 by Richard Grainger on the street named after John Clayton, Newcastle long-serving town clerk and antiquarian. In 2018 plans to turn the space into a live music venue inspired by the BBC's Maida Vale Studios were knocked back by the city council's licensing sub-committee.
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The new planning application is being handled by Hedley Planning Services, led by Sean Hedley. He said the designs will deliver much needed regeneration of the site that complies with local development plans.
Mr Hedley said: "Our work concludes that the submitted proposal represents sensitive enhancements to the significance of the listed building. They provide the springboard to bring this important historic location back to life after being vacant for in excess of six years and in doing so, will deliver much needed city-centre-based visitor accommodation and an attractive eating venue.
"As planners, we want to see the creation and successful delivery of heritage projects that deliver a long-lasting legacy. In achieving this, we are able to make a valuable contribution to clients’ plans and design ambitions, reducing the likelihood of objections on heritage grounds. This helps to transform our listed buildings and historic properties for generations to come."
Historically the building was home to Jackson The Tailor, founded by Lithuanian immigrant Moses Jacobson in 1906. It went on to operate more than 70 stores and factories across the country. During WWII the firm supplied uniforms for the Government before merging with Montague-Burtons in 1953.
Throughout the Second World War, Jackson The Tailor manufactured uniforms for the Government. In 1953 it merged with Montague-Burtons following the death of the firm's founder, Sir Montague Burton.
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