Bairds pub plans go another round
Change to application
Plans to covert the former Bairds building in Hamilton were set to take another turn this week.
Previously, applicants JD Wetherspoon had made a business case to buy the building and convert it into a hotel, bar and restaurant.
The pub giant was also due to lease the land from South Lanarkshire Council at a cost of £1 per year for 170 years.
However, at a meeting of the local authority’s executive committee yesterday (Wednesday) councillors were due to hear that JD Wetherspoon plc submitted changes to their application.
They now plan to propose a move from a lease of the ground to an outright sale.
In a report, council officials stated: “JD Wetherspoon acknowledge that a sale represents a shift by them from the previously agreed position.
“However, they have reaffirmed their commitment to Hamilton and their desire to proceed with the development as described.”
In November 2018, JD Wetherspoon also lodged further changes to their application, by removing the previously envisaged hotel accommodation on the upper floors from their application following a number of other successful hotel consents in Hamilton, which was later approved.
JD Wetherspoon they have set out an say that indicative programme based on a similar set of circumstances for one of their recently completed developments in Ramsgate.
This would see the development completed in the second quarter of 2020, assuming consents and approvals can be secured within reasonable time scales.
As the Advertiser went to press this week, councillors were being asked to approve plans which would then see JD Wetherspoon with “outright ownership” of the building and land.
If the changes are given the go-ahead, JD Wetherspoon will pay a total price of £750,000 for the property, of which the council will ultimately receive 18.25 per cent in line with the terms of the calculation of rent within the existing ground lease, which amounts to a one-off receipt to the council of £136,875.
The council would also take a pre-emption right from JD Wetherspoon, allowing them a right to buy the property should Wetherspoon decide to sell it.
JD Wetherspoon have reaffirmed their commitment to Hamilton