The transformation of a long-term empty grade II listed former bank building in Liverpool city centre has been signed off.
Liverpool Council has given the go-ahead to proposals 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, which are more than 100 years old 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 refurbishment will link the two venues at ground floor level.
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Customers’ dining and bar areas and two accessible toilets will be reached through the ground floor while the basement would provide toilets, staff office, kitchens and waste storage. Planning permission has also been given 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. Cllr Nick Small, Labour central ward member, raised concerns about the impact on residents in neighbouring streets during the construction phase and called on a channel of communication to be opened up for those in properties to voice any issues they may have.
On Twitter following the meeting, Cllr Small said he was pleased that the listed building was being brought back into use. These sentiments were echoed by Cllr Tom Cardwell who said: “It’s welcome to see such a beautiful building being brought back into use after such a long time.”
Another vacant bank building in Allerton was also given the go-ahead to be reconfigured as members passed a recommendation for the former Barclays building on Allerton Road to become commercial units and apartments. A first floor, one-bed flat will be accessed from the rear staircase while a two bed flat and one bed duplex will also be created in the first floor space.
Work was undertaken to remove signage relating to Barclays and the joining cash machine in 2019. It was said the commercial units were acceptable owing to the site’s location in an area with such amenities and convert them into two separate functional entities.
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