Planning round-up – children’s arcade, wine tasting venue and learning centre

A children’s ‘retro arcade’,  an up-market wine tasting venue and a new Arabic learning centre are among the applications submitted to Rochdale planners recently.

An abandoned shoe shop in Middleton could be transformed into a children’s entertainment centre with arcade machines and a go-karting track.

The attraction –  which would also feature pinball, air-hockey and table football – is the latest proposal for the former Stylegleam store.

Applicant Gary Stafford has submitted plans for the commercial unit, on Wood Street, for the consideration of planning chiefs.

A diner and toilet facilities also included in the application, as well as the provision of 34 parking spaces.

Previous applications for the site have included plans for a community support centre, as well as a complex including a restaurant, beauty salon and offices - for which planning permission was granted earlier this year.

A statement accompanying the application says: “The current unit is empty and generally regarded locally as an ‘eyesore’, so the proposed building would help improve the streetscape.

“In this regard we feel the addition of the development will be a significant positive addition to the local community and help diversify the local economy.

It adds: “We will be enhancing the street frontage and adding high level branding to the sign-age. We will not be amending the height or width of current signage of street glazing.

“The appearance of the building will be to a high standard and be designed to raise it above the surrounding premises.”

Rochdale planners will also run the rule over a proposal to convert the former Newbold Post Office, into an learning centre for those who want to learn Arabic.

 

 

The application, from Ismail Quodi, seeks permission to change the use of the property on Milnrow Road.

A design and access statement submitted with the application says the ‘principal idea’ behind the centre is to deliver quality educational training with a recognised qualification which will have an impact on the community as a whole.’

It adds: “The courses will aim to enhance employment prospects for people who are seeking employment in the Middle East, for people who are seeking to relocate to the Middle East or for people who wish to learn basic Arabic to use whilst holidaying in the Middle East.”

The centre will create two full-time and four part-time jobs and open between 9am and 9pm during the week, with reduced hours at weekends.

And plans have also been submitted for a new ‘upmarket wine tasting venue and drinking establishment’ in Norden.

 

 

If given the go-ahead, the proposals would see Bond’s Estate Agents and the former Wildbloods butcher’s shop, in Edenfield Road, converted into a ‘drinking establishment’ named The Norden Inn.

A supporting statement with Robin Gillooley’s application says: “The new business will essentially become an upmarket wine tasting venue where customers can purchase wines from around the world which will be displayed in ‘cages’ in the off licence area of the site.

“There will be three other rooms where customers can enjoy a drink inside the premises. At present there are no plans to allow food to be consumed on site, although bar snacks may be possible."

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter