Planners approve conversion of Grade II-listed former NatWest Bank in Castle Street in Liverpool into a 92-room hotel with a two-storey roof extension. Tony McDonough reports
City planners have given the go-ahead for a multi-million pound plan for a new hotel in Castle Street in the city centre.
Located in the former NatWest Bank building, the new hotel at 20-34 Castle Street will have 92 rooms. There will also be a two-storey rooftop extension at the rear of the Grade II-listed property.
Liverpool bar and leisure outfit JSM Company Group is behind the multi-million pound project. It will also create two restaurants/bars on the ground floor and basement area of the site.
JSM, headed by Jamie Motlagh, is looking to capitalise on the transformation of Castle Street. In recent years Liverpool’s central business district has shifted away from the Castle Street/Water Street/Dale Street area towards Old Hall Street and St Paul’s Square.
Although a number of professional firms remain in the upper floors of Castle Street’s buildings, ground floor spaces have been filled with a variety of restaurants and bar operators.
JSM says it wants to “respond to the continued evolution of the area”. 12 of the hotel’s rooms will be wheelchair accessible. There is also the possible future conversion of a further eight rooms for wheelchair use.
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Designed by architect Norman Shaw for Parrs Bank, the building was completed in 1902. It was occupied for a number of years by NatWest but it departed in 2017. Architects at Liverpool-based Wroot Design are tasked with designing the new hotel.
It added: “The front elevation of the development, facing Castle Street, will mostly remain the same. This will uphold the strong character of this iconic area of Liverpool.”
Liverpool’s planning committee also gave the go-head for a new production facility for Chinese pharmaceutical group Pharmaron Biologics at Estuary Commerce Park in Speke. Pharmron is proposing to build the new production and laboratory unit as part of a three phase development.
Liverpool value retail giant Home Bargains also secured approval for new warehouses and office space on Speke Boulevard. This 100,000 sq ft scheme will be built across a five-acre site by Home Bargains owner TJ Morris.