A planning application has been lodged to transform a listed building and former major retail outlet in Perth city centre into a restaurant and residential flats.
Plans also include a substantial refurbishment of the Grade ‘A’ Listed Property at 50 St John Street, which was formerly occupied by household chain Lakeland.
Submitted to Perth and Kinross Council by Mill Architects on behalf of applicant Roland Peeters, the ground floor of the building would be an open plan layout with a restaurant and bar area if approved, with office, staff and disable toilets and welfare facilities located to the rear.
The floor would also host a food store, beer store and kitchen with the lower first floor providing public toilets.
Meanwhile, the substantial alterations to the upper levels proposes five new flats.
The first floor would house three two-bedroom flats and a one-bedroom flat, while the second floor would have a sole three-bedroom flat.
All of the apartments would be sold individually to “ensure the long-term future of the building”.
Overall refurbishment of the property proposed includes external repairs and internal upgrades throughout, although the application by Mill Architects states the ground floor level and its intricate cornice is a feature “that will be retained and enhanced by appropriate lighting and painting”.
The latest development comes almost a year after the Lakeland store closed in May 2021, following the downturn caused by the pandemic.
The unit has remained empty since then, until last month the PA revealed Perth woman Louise Velazquez was vying to occupy the store with activity and arts hubs.
She organised a pop-up workshop event at the unit on Valentine’s Day with artwork displayed inside and out.
A similar plan has been mooted by Louise for the former Perth Beales store next door, which closed in March 2020.
But now a further interested party has appeared with an application for the old Lakeland unit.
A supporting report by Mill Architects outlines their vision for the Italian Renaissance-inspired building.
It reads: “The owner of no 50 St John Street has appointed Mill Architects who are RIAS Advanced Conservation Accredited to assist with the preparation of a Planning and Listed Building Application to carry out a refurbishment and upgrade of this Grade ’A’ Listed Property.
“Originally the building accommodated the Bank of Scotland.
“However, most previously the building had been occupied by Lakeland. Lakeland have now vacated and the property is currently standing empty.
“To that end, the owner is extremely keen to put the building back into use and incorporate a Change of Use proposal to Class Three, creating a bar/restaurant at the main ground floor level area with a separate adjoining unit.
“The intention for the upper floors would be to refurbish them to residential flats.
“Overall refurbishment of the property proposed includes internal upgrades throughout.”
It adds that there are concerns around Perth that many shops and properties have recently become empty, and that refurbishing the ground floor of the main building into a bar/restaurant can provide “renewed vibrancy to St John Street” and an income for the owner “ensuring the property does not go into demise”.
Perth and Kinross Council has approved three funding grants to assist the owner with the refurbishment and upgrade.
These are: the Adapt your property Grant (for empty shops to be adapted into any use); the open for business grant; and the professional feasibility grant (to enable the client to progress design/feasibility options).
The owner will also be applying to Perth City Heritage Trust for a fabric repair grant to “ensure that the property’s fabric is safe and wind/water tight”.
To view the application go to https://bit.ly/358lW7P
