'˜Decaying' club to be student flat-tened?

The New Friargate Club, which has stood empty for more than two years, will be flattened if councillors give the go-ahead for a block to house 152 UCLan undergraduates.

The club, which according to developers has had “a troubled history,” ceased trading in 2015 after 26 years in Maudland Bank. It moved there from its original site in Friargate, opposite Roper Hall, in the late 1980s.

Developers the Fort Group have submitted an outline application to the city council to demolish the building and replace it with a four to seven storey block of student bedrooms to add to the 2,200 flats UCLan already has on campus in Preston.

In a statement to the planning committee the developers say the club “has been abandoned for some time.”

“The existing site has been badly maintained,” says the document. “The building itself is decaying and presents opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Prior to closure the club had a troubled history with incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime being recorded by the police. The building is in a state of advanced disrepair and it is most unlikely that it will be brought back into use.

“The site at present detracts from the area and the development will stimulate a more vibrant street scene.”

The planned accommodation block will comprise 106 en suite bedrooms in 21 cluster flats with shared kitchen and living/dining facilities, together with 46 self-contained studio apartments.

It will also have a gym, lounge, study area, cinema room and laundry.