Plans submitted for former Blackpool music venue near Winter Gardens

Applicant Bill Forsyth is seeking council approval for residential apartments on Church Street, Blackpool, to be used as serviced accommodation instead. It is proposed to retain the current use of the ground floor for retail purposes.

The application says there are no proposed changes to the interior or exterior of the building, which also boasts a number of private roof terraces.

The site is best known as the Music Hall Tavern which was a popular entertainment venue in the resort before being redeveloped into apartments around five years ago.

At one time the Music Hall Tavern also housed housed the Tivoli Picture Theatre and had various uses throughout the years including as a nightclub and bingo hall.

In more recent times the art-deco building has been converted to 10 luxury apartments, and is believed to have changed hands in 2021 when it was put up for auction with a guide price of £950,000.

Its location on the corner of Leopold Grove is across the road from the new conference centre at the Winter Gardens.

Documents accompanying the application say: “The accommodation is popular due to its town centre location with its excellent transport links making it especially attractive to non-drivers.”

There is also a bike store for use by residents in the property, which is located within the town centre conservation area.

The application will go before town hall planners for consideration at a future date.