A prominent empty building on Bangor High Street could soon be given a new lease of life.
Developers have submitted plans to convert 297 High Street, once home to Ethel Austin and later Cooltrader, into 18 one-bedroom flats with a retail unit on the ground floor. The property has stood empty since 2017.
Under the proposals, three flats would be created to the rear of the ground floor, with the shop space retained at the front. A further 15 flats would be built across the upper floors, including a new storey added within the roof space.
The building’s dated office-style windows would be replaced with smaller openings more in keeping with neighbouring properties, and the shopfront will be refurbished to smarten its appearance.
Planning consultants say the scheme will help address strong demand for one-bedroom rental homes in Bangor, where rents for such flats often exceed £800 a month. They argue that the modest size of the new apartments will make them naturally affordable for local people.
The retained shop unit, around 89 square metres, is aimed at providing an affordable opportunity for local businesses to take on space in the city centre.
Located close to public transport links and just a short walk from Bangor station, the site is described as “highly sustainable” by the developers. They also say the scheme will support wider efforts to regenerate the High Street, which has seen several empty units in recent years.
If approved, the redevelopment would mark the return of an important site that has been empty for nearly a decade, providing both new housing and a boost for the local retail offer.
