The former Greenwoods menswear store in Bangor, which closed in September 2017, could become a Café, Coffee shop or Restaurant.

The landlord and owner of the Deiniol Centre, Atmore (Bangor) Limited, have submitted plans to obtain permission for ‘Change of Use’ from a retail unit to accommodate a potential café, coffee shop or restaurant.

The unit, which has now been vacant for over six months, would require the new tenant to obtain planning permission for any further alterations to the premises.

Due to the prominent position in Bangor’s central retail area, the owner is very keen to ensure this unit is occupied as quickly as possible to “minimise any detrimental affect to the vitality, attractiveness and viability of this important area of Bangor.”

Despite extensive marketing of the empty retail unit no retailers have made an offer on the empty unit based on a long-term lease.

The owners are committed to securing quality long-term tenants in order that the Deiniol Shopping Centre can be sustainable, vibrant, attractive and diverse for the residents of, and visitors to, Bangor.

Prospective Tenant

Because the unit is separate from the shopping mall of the Deiniol Centre, it may be possible to benefit from more flexible opening times, before and/or beyond those of the mall. These factors appear to have made the unit attractive to café, coffee shop, restaurant prospective tenants, one of which has made an offer for a long-term lease.

This prospective tenant, who at this stage remains anonymous, has similar premises in South Wales, Scotland and England, but they are very reluctant to commit further, without confirmation that a change of use has been established.

Legat Owen Estate Agents, who have been marketing the unit, have written a letter in support of the ‘Change of Use’ application, which said: “We are now in the position where we have had an approach from an operator (the details which are to be confidential at this stage) who would like to move forward with a long term lease on the premises, creating approximately 12-15 new jobs and securing an occupier for the unit immediately.”