Revived plans to convert a long-vacant town centre bank into a nightclub will remain in limbo until the applicant has the ‘decency’ to appear before councillors, a planning meeting heard. Proposals for a change of use to the old Royal Bank of Scotland, in Middleton, were refused by Rochdale council’s planning committee two years ago, with members citing a history of alcohol-fuelled trouble in the area.
But a tweaked scheme was recommended for approval when it went before the panel on Thursday night. An officer’s report advised that bringing the Market Place building back into use would ‘contribute to the vitality’ of the town centre, meeting leisure needs in a ‘suitable’ location.
However members also heard objections from Coun Peter Winkler - who runs a printing business in Market Place - and his mother Patricia, who has lived above the shop for more than 20 years. Coun Winkler, speaking in a personal capacity, said attempts to run ‘similar businesses’ in the past had caused ‘chaos, disruption and anti-social behaviour’ in the area.
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