Stirling Observer

Something brewing at former police station as council considers plan for turning it into cafe

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A former community police station could soon be serving up coffees instead of jail time.

The public counter at Bannockbur­n police office shut up shop in 2014, with some officers using it as a base for only a short time beyond that.

In 2018 Shepherd Chartered Surveyors were appointed by the Scottish Police Authority to manage the sale of 30 police buildings throughout Scotland including Bannockbur­n - following a review of the entire police estate.

The office, at 70 Quakerfiel­d, was initially put on the market at offers over £200,000.

Having been vacant for some time, the building could now be set for a new lease of life.

Ben Holwell from Plean has submitted an applicatio­n to Stirling Council planners seeking a partial change of use from general office space into a cafe. He told planners“We propose a change of use for the front area of approximat­ely 60m2 - from a general office space into a sit in and takeaway cafe.”

The whole building measures more than 3000 sq ft and was previously used to locate two community police officers and one non-operationa­l officer working on a national portfolio.

The property was selected for sell-off following a review of the entire police estate undertaken as part of the Police Scotland Review Strategy which underpins Policing 2026 – their long term strategy.

Council planners are expected to make a recommenda­tion on the applicatio­n in due course.

 ?? 041013poli­ce_1 ?? Cafe Plans have been submitted to transform the former Bannockbur­n cop shop
041013poli­ce_1 Cafe Plans have been submitted to transform the former Bannockbur­n cop shop

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