By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
An empty building in the centre of Nottingham will soon become a “glamorous” New York-inspired cocktail bar after plans were approved.
The building, in Queen Street, was previously home to Red’s True Barbecue before it closed in February last year.
ARC Inspirations, a bar group which runs 18 venues including Box, Manahatta and Banyan across the north of England, submitted plans to transform the vacant building into a new cocktail bar.
Reports which have been given the go-ahead by Nottingham City Council planners, say: “ARC are constantly looking for new and exciting locations to base their bar concepts.
“They have been searching for a suitable location in Nottingham for some time to grow their brand, and have identified the premises on Queen Street as an ideal location for their Manahatta bar concept – which is a glamorous New York-inspired cocktail bar with an exciting party vibe.”
The Grade II-listed building, known as ‘The Frontage’, was once home to the head post office.
It was originally built between 1895 and 1898 by Tanner of the Office of Works, according to Historic England.
In 1985 the building was entirely rebuilt, except for the listed façade.
The applicant’s planning agents, Firstplan, say ARC has experience in dealing with sensitive listed building conversions in Nottingham.
It recently opened the Box bar and restaurant in Thurland Street, which won awards for sensitive design.
The applicant has a “real drive” to open the new cocktail bar as soon as possible, the agent says.
“The proposed change of use will enable the applicant to begin trading from premises, whilst also providing a productive, economic use that will create employment contribute to the vitality and viability of the city centre and
complement and enhance the surrounding area’s existing food and drink offer,” documents add.
“The internal alterations will offer subtle enhancements to the unit, providing a high quality, traditional appearance, that reflects our client’s well-known branding and operational requirements.
“Importantly, the alterations are entirely respectful of the buildings listed status and will ensure the historic significance of the grade II listed building is not compromised – and indeed that its historic grandeur and charm is sensitively restored and exhibited.”
