Empty HSBC bank to be turned into mini-golf venue
A Fleet Street bank once home to HSBC but now vacant for two years could be changed into a mini-golf and bowling venue, the latest example of leisure helping to fill empty sites.
Proposals filed with the City of London Corporation this month for 165 Fleet Street, EC4, aim to secure a change of use for part of the ground floor and part of the basement from commercial class E to mixed use, including a noodle bar and mini-golf at ground floor level, and 10-pin bowling in the basement.
The applicant is listed only as Mr Dalton but has been reported by retail industry news service Propel to be Jonathan Dalton of Bloomsbury Leisure Group.
A Fleet Street bank once home to HSBC but now vacant for two years could be changed into a mini-golf and bowling venue, the latest example of leisure helping to fill empty sites.
Proposals filed with the City of London Corporation this month for 165 Fleet Street, EC4, aim to secure a change of use for part of the ground floor and part of the basement from commercial class E to mixed use, including a noodle bar and mini-golf at ground floor level, and 10-pin bowling in the basement.
The applicant is listed only as Mr Dalton but has been reported by retail industry news service Propel to be Jonathan Dalton of Bloomsbury Leisure Group.
A planning statement from Beasley Dickson Architects said the ground floor of the eight-storey office building has been vacant for two years and was most recently occupied by HSBC.
It added: “The existing use class E is currently considered not viable in light of the current retail environment and is proving challenging to market, particularly given the size and as there are a number of other vacant commercial spaces along Fleet Street.
“The applicant considers the premises to be suitable for an upmarket leisure establishment with expanded food provision, providing indoor mini-golf at ground floor and a bespoke bowling alley within the basement level. This use will maintain an active frontage along Fleet Street, positively enhancing the street scene and contributing to an enlivened wider neighbourhood.”
Nearby in the Square Mile, Landsec was recently granted permission to turn more of its retail and office block at One New Change, EC4, into leisure space. By the end of this month the lower ground floor of the building will be largely vacant, and Landsec wants to convert around 21,888 sq ft across seven units into a “competitive socialising” offering combining food and games such as golf or bowling.
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