ReGlasgow

LEADING Retailer’s Application For Empty BHS Building Is Approved

4 June, 2021 | News

PLANNERS have paved the way for a major high street retailer to open a store at the vacant BHS building in Glasgow City Centre.

Officials have approved planning conditions for use of the premises at Sauchiehall Street that will allow a company which has shown ‘concrete interest’ to open there.

The identity of the company has not been revealed in documents submitted to Glasgow City Council but a supporting statement explained: “The tenant is a high quality and well-known high street retailer looking to occupy part of the overall property.”

The council has confirmed the building can be used for food and non-food retail, 6am to midnight, seven days a week, with no restrictions on the nature or volumes of goods allowed to be displayed or sold.

Modifications have also been approved including new shopfront glazing, a realigned shopfront along Sauchiehall Street replacing the existing ramped recessed entrance, the removal of the Renfield Street stepped entrance, and general uplift and repair of the façade.

The applicant’s statement continued: “These modifications aspire to bring life back to an empty building which stands in a poor state of disrepair on one of Glasgow’s main retail destinations.”

British Homes Stores closed in 2016 after more than 50 years of trading from the premises. A mixed-use development was approved but has not progressed.

Under the new proposal, the ground floor would be used for sales space with ancillary use of the first floor, and potential second floor use later.

Agents for the applicant had not been able to locate the original BHS planning consent to clarify any conditions that were attached.

They stated: “Therefore, matter such as hours of occupation, noise, servicing, etc, which are critical to the tenant, are open to interpretation and therefore have to be addressed within the proposed development.

“The proposed occupation of the site by a high-quality retailer and commitment to Sauchiehall Street is a huge boost in these challenging times.

“The proposed works…will revitalise this urban block with a vibrant occupier that will attract footfall.”

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