The upper part of a building in one of Stirling’s most prominent city centre streets could be transformed into a hotel.
NOMM Wealth Builder Trust has submitted an application to Stirling Council planners for a change of use of the second and third floors of 43-51 King Street from offices into a serviced apartment hotel, as well as forming six new window openings to the rear of the building.
In April 2016 pub/hotel chain JD Wetherspoon decided not to proceed with plans to convert the 19th century structure into a hotel.
The building is monitored by the Buildings At Risk Register, which at their last inspection in September 2021 found that shop units on the ground floor were in use but the upper storeys appeared to be vacant, although the condition of the overall fabric of the building remained “good”.
In documents submitted with the application, agents for NOMM said: “The area has recently gone through a small growth in employment through the small independent retailers. The site is strategically placed to take advantage of economic growth in the wider region, and of its easy accessibility to the town centre.
“The building has had a varying past. The ground floor of the building consists of three small independent retail units with two separating doors to grant access to the upper floors. Over the years the retail units have been used as an audio shop, sports shop, and restaurant. These retail units are now a hair salon, interior design studio, and cafe.
“The upper floors were formally used as open plan office spaces and have been unoccupied for several years.
“The main pedestrian access will be via 45 King Street, however there is an accessible entrance to the rear of the property via the existing private car park. Access to the existing car park is via a gate from the lane on Corn Exchange Road.
“It is certainly very evident that the local area is characterised by the commercial hub that the site sits within. To the east of the site sits the Golden Lion Hotel and varying retail outlets. To the north of the site the landscape is dominated by the Clock Tower and Wallace statue. To the south the entrance to the Thistle Centre and varying retail outlets including coffee shops, hair salon and local bank.
“The site was granted full planning permission in 2013 for proposed alterations and change of use from retail/office to pub/restaurant and hotel...however, this expired in August 2016 due to the client not continuing with the development. ”
The agents said the latest application related to the renovation of the first floor offices and the change of use to the second and third floor to Class 7 hotel and hostel.
They added: “The brief given by NOMM Wealth Builder Trust is for the first floor of the building to serve as a multi-disciplinary multi-office space housing small start-up companies to more established businesses requiring city centre office space.
“The second and third floors will be used as serviced accommodation / hotel with 15 rooms over the two floors. Within the second and third floors NOMM are looking to utilise the internal spaces that cannot be used as accommodation and proposed to use these spaces as a small gym with changing facilities.’’
