Former Poundworld store in Bangor could be turned into high street restaurant

Plans have been unveiled to transform Bangor’s former Poundworld store into a high street restaurant

The discount store, which was founded in Wakefield in Yorkshire in 1974, fell into administration in June of last year, with the store on Bangor High Street having remained empty since the summer.

The planning documents, submitted by the Pegasus Group, state that the ground floor of the unit at 275 High Street, which also previously housed HMV, would be changed from A1 (retail) to A3 use (cafe/restaurant) and would serve food and drink between 8am and 11pm.

The application documents, which have now been received by Gwynedd Council’s planning department, state that the proposed change of use “would not lead to an over-concentration of non-shopping uses or compromise the existing uses and activities.”

It added that despite extensive marketing, writing to targeted retailers and the presence of a ‘To Let’ board since the unit was put on the market last year, no serious enquiries have been submitted to take it over.

The application said: “It can be clearly demonstrated that the A1 use of the unit is no longer viable.

“It is the professional opinion of the letting agents and commercial property specialists that the most viable use for the unit is A3 (café/restaurant).

“The proposed change of use would contribute positively towards a diverse mix of complementary retail uses, would reduce the number of vacant units along High Street and would contribute towards the viability and vitality of the wider Primary Shopping Area.

“Occupation of the unit would lead to environmental enhancements through reduction of vacant units and would result in employment generation through fitting out works, as well as through the future occupier and suppliers to the future occupier, all of which support ongoing economic growth and the local economy.”

It’s expected that Gwynedd Council’s planning department will make a decision over the coming weeks.

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter