Plans have been submitted to redevelop the former Post Office on Deiniol Road in Bangor.
The proposal seeks planning permission to change part of the ground floor of the building into a medical practice, nightclub and food court, and use the upper floors as offices and teaching space for Bangor University.
Built in 1909 the building remained as a Post Office until 2008, when the post office relocated to Bangor High Street. The building was converted into ‘Embassy’ nightclub, later called ‘Revive’ but has now been empty for six years. The former nightclub would be retained across the remainder of the ground floor in the new plans.
An internal inspection report has revealed there are several areas where water has entered through the roof, causing damage to the inside of the building, which is slowly deteriorating.
The planning document states that the Old Post Office Building offers an opportunity for the University to establish closer links between its campus and the town centre which would be beneficial both to students in reducing the separation between the University and the town centre.
The plans also note by retaining the nightclub this would allow relocation of the existing provision at Academi to this site.
As the proposal does not include any physical alterations, internally or externally to the building, there would appear to be no requirement for a Listed Building Consent at this stage. If changes be required once detailed design work is completed, then Listed Building Consent will be sought before any works takes place.
Extensive efforts have been made to secure a user for the building who could take on a project and structure of this scale, but these have been fruitless due to the nature of the building and the economics of the site and locality.
Estate Agents marketing the property have contacted several leading companies to see if they would be looking premises to rent or lease or to purchase. Business approached have included Holiday Inn, Travelodge, Conder Hotels, Metropolitan Hotels and a number of other groups included Tesco, Sainsburys, Coop, One Stop and Londis. Having exhausted all other avenues the Estate Agents concluded that due to the level of work needed to bring back to life the structure or get it back to a lease level costs were far too much for them.
The report concluded that use by the University is ‘ideal’ as it would be well suited to the building and has the necessary experience and expertise to manage a Listed structure of this size and age. It is doubtful in the current climate that another user will be forthcoming so all efforts should be made to progress this proposal as it represents the best chance for the building.
