Former bank space in Preston to be converted into six flats

Town planners at Preston City Council gave the go-ahead to the conversion of the shop space in Orchard Street.

It comes after applicant Mukesh Unadkat of Methyr Properties has struggled filling the space with tenants for two years.

Planning documents from agent Hayes Architects state: “It is a well known fact that high streets across the country need to adapt to meet the changing needs of today’s consumers if they are to prosper.

“High streets cannot live in the past, but must adapt to meet the radical changes in consumer behaviour seen over the past few years adapting to a new era of online shopping and the changing way in which consumers shop.

“This has changed the demand for retail units in town centres and similarly has reduced the requirement for office space within town centres.

“The Government has supported the change of use from commercial to residential as from April 2013.

“In respect of three Orchard Street the client has actively tried to market the property since July 2016 to attract new tenants, not only for the ground floor space but also for the first and second floors.

“The ground floor and basement was previously let to Yorkshire Bank who vacated in October 2016.

“The first floor has been vacant for 18 months and the second floor has not been in use for a number of years. It is therefore necessary to consider other uses for the vacant spaces.”