Former club site set to become a new bar

PLANS to convert the former working men's club in Falmouth into a bar with bookshop and manager's accommodation have been granted planning and listed building consent.

The club in Bell's Court closed in May 2009 after more than 140 years, when it became insolvent. The building has remained vacant since but work is expected to start soon following Cornwall Council's approval of the plans.

The planned change of use focuses on the first floor where the existing open-plan bar areas and billiard room are to be converted.

The main bar area will remain as it is with associated seating within the core building; the former ballroom will be divided from the new bar and converted into a two-bedroom flat. The billiards room will become the bookshop.

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The existing entrance, toilets and parking area will remain as they are and the ground floor rooms will be refurbished and upgraded to create office, storage, boiler room and cellar space.

An enclosed courtyard will be used as a smokers' refuge and new metal railings will be installed around the rear sections of the site on to Smithick Hill to enhance security and safety.

Cornwall Council case officer Martin Woodley said in his report: "The scheme is considered to be complimentary to the existing main shopping frontage that runs along Market Street.

"The former use of the building as a social club with bar, dancefloor and associated facilities would have inevitably generated a level of noise, activity and a general impact on neighbouring proposers, users and residents.

"This application would see the bar element of the use restricted to the central first floor area of the building and the structure upgraded overall to enhance insulation and the standard of accommodation.

"The section of the building nearest the residential flat development currently being constructed would be the manager's flat."

The applications, which were supported by Falmouth Town Council, have been granted approval under delegation within the council's planning department.

Several conditions are attached to the consent, including one which states the premises should only be open between 10am and midnight, Mondays to Saturdays and 10am until 11pm on Sundays.