Plans to convert a former snooker club and bar into flats have been tabled.
Developers Prestwich Estates Limited want to redevelop the former Rileys Snooker and Pool club, on Bury New Road, into nine apartments at ground and first-floor level.
The club, one of the most prominent buildings in Prestwich village, is directly opposite the Marks & Spencer food hall and was once a popular meeting place for snooker and pool players – and those watching televised sport. Documents submitted to Bury council say the ‘long vacancy’ of the building had left it ‘unsightly’.
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A planning statement read: “The application is seeking permission to change the unused and vacant floorspace of a pool and snooker hall into apartments. The site is currently occupied by a large and disused games hall which has become unsightly due to long vacancy.
“The site is located at the busy Bury New Road surrounded by mixed use properties, commercial units and residential properties. The overall condition of the building is poor as it has been closed and struggled to recover after the pandemic shut downs.
“If it is to be brought back to its existing use, this would require significant investment which given the lack of demand for this type of buildings in the area and in general is not feasible. The proposal is to convert the existing floor space of circa 515 sqm into nine apartments.”
The statement, added: “There are smaller one-bedroom apartments suitable for single occupancy and larger ones for young professional couples. The two-bedroom apartments and the generous storage space in them can accommodate families with children.
“The site will be accessed from the existing entrance at Bury New Road. Given the residential character of the area, the proposal to replace an existing vacant building with in demand new apartments is considered a desirable development of the site.”
Planners at Bury council will decide on the plans in the next few months.
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