A 'glamorous' bar has been planned to bring New York's style to Nottingham. New plans have been submitted to transform the former French Connection shop and bank on Victoria Street, next to Goldsmiths and Delilah Fine Foods, into a New York themed 'Manahatta' bar.
ARC Inspirations group have applied to open up a cocktail bar on the street which they hope will bring the "exciting unmistakeable beat of New York to the UK". The plans plot internal alterations to the unit, providing what developers have said is a "high quality, traditional appearance".
They added the alterations would be "entirely respectful" of the building's Grade-II listed status and would ensure its historic significance. The three-storey former bank building which was constructed in 1896 to form the base of the Midland Bank but is empty after French Connection vacated the premises.
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The bar will be spread across the basement, ground and first floor levels of the building. Permission was granted in May 2020 to change the upper floors of the building from vacant offices to nine new residential apartments. The construction of these flats has not yet been completed.
In a planning document, Firstplan on behalf of applicant ARC Inspirations, said: "The scheme will maximise the efficient use of the currently vacant, underused but prominent, commercial unit, in accordance with national, London-wide and local planning policy objectives; The proposals will allow ARC Inspirations, a highly reputable bar operator, to bring their latest cocktail bar concept to this part of town, providing a productive, economic use that will create employment and contribute to the vitality and viability of the city centre, and complement and enhance the surrounding area’s existing food and drink offer, The retail unit will be upgraded internally to the highest standard with the traditional features of the former bank building highlighted and celebrated."
A licensing application was previously submitted for the prospective venue. The application detailed plans for live music, recorded music, anything similar to music and dance and sale of alcohol between 10am and 2am the following day Monday to Sunday, with the bar being open until 2.30am every day too.
The applicant claims to have an "established track record of investing significantly in communities and transforming vacant and redundant buildings into high quality bars". They currently operate bars in historical and listed buildings across Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool, and have more than 15 bars in various cities in the north of England.
The planning application is pending consideration by Nottingham City Council. The company also recently applied for a license and for planning permission to change the use of the former All Saints shop on Thurland Street.
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