PWA Planning has helped leading pub group Amber Taverns secure planning permission for another heritage-focused hospitality venue in the North West.
The pub company recently gained planning approval for The Leopard in Chester which has seen a former Bon Marche shop transformed into a two-storey public house with a roof terrace.
It’s the latest in a number of pubs that PWA has helped Amber Taverns to gain planning approval for across the country which also includes properties in Bridlington, Rochdale, Bromsgrove and Bridgewater. A number of further planning applications for additional sites across the UK are currently ongoing.
Matthew Wyatt, associate at PWA Planning, said: “Amber Taverns are passionate about public houses and the communities they serve, which is why we are delighted to support the team with planning on these of developments that have quickly become thriving destinations.
“Rather than just purchasing existing pubs, Amber Taverns invests heavily in restoring and creating new premises that are often in conservation areas or listed buildings.
“As well as managing the planning applications, we have led on pre-application discussions with the local planning authority and provided post submission support and advice on heritage issues to support enabling works. It’s work we have really enjoyed and we’re looking forward to supporting more exciting pub applications across the country”
Sam Frankland, property director at Amber Taverns, comments: “We’re thrilled to have acquired these new sites, and grateful for the hard work put in by the team from PWA Planning.
“Our units are situated in a range of fantastic high street locations which celebrate the heritage of the respective towns and cities, as well as creating a number of part-time and full-time jobs, made available to local residents.”
The other pubs that PWA has helped Amber Taverns to bring forward include Bridlington, Rochdale, Bromsgrove and Bridgwater.
The Three Brass Monkeys in Bridlington transformed a former M&S retail unit into a pub and gaming centre. The application featured plans for acoustic screens to be fitted in the newly formed roof terrace that would allow for greater noise control.
Hogarths in Rochdale is a 5,850 sq ft, grade two-listed, former bank in the town centre. Plans for original features like ceilings and covings were retained and enhanced while the bank’s vaults were turned into private seating areas.
The redevelopment formed part of Historic England’s UK-wide Heritage Action Zone initiative, which aims to transform failing, retail-dominated streets into a vibrant area of mixed-use development that acknowledges and celebrates heritage.
The planning application for the Old Post Office in Bromsgrove proposed changing the building’s use from a Post Office, while maintaining the traditional frontage and clock.
The Duke in Bridgwater featured a complete renovation of an existing pub which included a large ground floor covering 3,460 sq ft, featuring a bar area, function room and four additional rooms on the first floor.
PWA is also supporting with a live application for internal and external works to a listed Georgian building in Derby, with plans to convert the former bar into a new location for Amber Taverns.
The Blackpool headquartered company has over 150 pubs across England, Wales and now in Scotland.
