A former St Helens restaurant could be converted into residential accommodation, with a lack of viability being cited amid the ‘current economic climate’.
Iain Cowcher is seeking prior approval for a conversion of the now-closed Ganders Restaurant on Upper Green Road in St Helens into a 2-bedroom apartment.
The renowned establishment ceased trading last year after 27 years of business. It was celebrated as one of the Isle of Wight’s top 20 restaurants by the Daily Telegraph and earned numerous TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence.
A submitted Heritage Statement says:
“The proposal is to change the use of the ground floor from commercial, currently a restaurant, to a 2 bedroomed residential dwelling.
“In the current economic climate, the restaurant is not proving to be a viable business and has ceased trading.
“The proposal will not have any detrimental effect on the Conservation Area or be harmful to the existing building.”
Plans for the flat include one bathroom, a kitchen and a lounge or dining room area, with windows in all rooms.
Mr Cowcher’s application form says the outside of the building will not change but that signage will be removed.
The Isle of Wight Council’s public consultation on application 26/00153/3MAPA is live until 27th March.
It didn’t close because it wasn’t viable, it closed because the owners retired.
I remember reading that too.
Carry on working to pay more taxes ! Why would you ?
Enjoy your retirement good luck to them.
My thoughts exactly, who wants to pay tax
to this Government
Such a shame the government and councils alike have screwed so many businesses into the ground
All part of the new world order