What was once Wokingham's only nightclub could now a space for cafes, restaurants, bars and offices.
Spin bar and nightclub closed just before Christmas in 2017 and since then the ground floor space at Alexandra House has been sat empty.
Wokingham councillors voted through proposals to convert the space at a planning committee meeting last night (Wednesday, July 8), after hearing how the mixed-use plans could create up to 10 new jobs.
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The committee unanimously backed the plan, with councillor Andrew Mickleburgh calling the plans "a very sound move which would bring benefits".
Councillor Simon Weeks, the committee's chairman, said the plans would give the council "greater flexibility to ensure the building is well-utilised".
Plans were previously approved in July last year to turn the nightclub into offices and retail shops.
The application was submitted by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and councillor Maria Gee had questioned the need for extra offices given the current level of this provision in the town centre.
Now the council has decided to give itself more options, approving this latest plan which will allow the 450 square metres (sqm) of space to be used as a mix of:
- Retail
- Financial and professional services
- Cafes and restaurants
- Drinking establishments
- Hot food takeaways
- Offices
While 264sqm will be reserved for office floor space, the four retail units, which range from 46 to 47sqm, can now be any of the other above options.
Potential employees driving into work will be forced to go to Elm’s Park Car Park as the as there will be no additional parking spaces.
There are also no cycle parking spaces in the plans, but the council has agreed to look into the possibility of adding them, at the request of councillor Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey.
Spin bar and nightclub closed suddenly in late 2017, leaving Wokingham town centre without a nightclub.
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