New restaurant bid for former post office
PLANNING permission to turn one of the town centre’s most-loved buildings into a restaurant or bar has been renewed.
Proposals to convert the old Post Office on The Esplanade were first granted in 2013.
But developers did not carry out the work before the three-year time limit expired.
However now the planning permission has been granted again - and the Grade II-listed building is back on the market.
A planning officer’s report welcomed the proposal.
It stated: “The old Post Office is a large, attractive and important building within Rochdale town centre.
“The post office has now relocated to premises in the town centre and the application site is currently vacant.
“The proposed use of a café/restaurant/bar would be compatible with the surrounding area which has a mix of day time and night time activities including, retail premises, offices, cafes/ restaurants, bars/nightclubs and hot food takeaways.
“The proposed development would not result in a change of character of the area and would make a positive contribution to the town centre by ensuring a large and important building in the area is in continuous use.”
The post office is currently being advertised for rent at £1,591 per month. Estate agents say it ‘offers an ideal opportunity for a new restaurant or late bar’.
They add: “The historic importance of the build- ing was recognised in 1985 when it received its listed status.
“This landmark was built in the distinctive restrained style, from Portland stone under a Westmorland slate roof, and the property has recently undergone a full refurbishment including full external redecoration, cleaning and masonry repairs.”
The grand Georgian post office was designed by Post Office architect Charles P. Wilkinson and opened in 1927.
It relocated to the old Woolworths in Yorkshire Street in the mid 1990s but moved back to its historic home in 2005.
The branch moved to its current home on nearby South Parade last year.