Bridport bank building to become new bar
The Bridport Dagger is set to take over the old HSBC site
A new Bridport bar is 'banking' on success.
The Bridport Dagger has achieved the final permission needed to convert a former Bridport bank into a the town’s latest entertainment spot.
Dorset Council has granted planning consent for a change of use for the HSBC Bank building in East Street, which closed more than a year ago.
The team behind the operation were earlier this month granted a Premises Licence for drink sales, music and entertainment.
Several neighbours had objected to the proposal to change the use of the building, telling Dorset Council they feared their peace and quiet would be disturbed.
Bridport Town Council had supported the application, subject to noise monitoring being in place, after an initial objection.
Dorset Council planning officers were told that the operator of the business, Mr Craig Horton, who currently runs the nearby No10 bar, is planning to open the Bridport Dagger to coincide with the end of the lease on the current building, the owner wishing to sell the property.
His plans for the bank include a bar area with tables and seating and a small games room on the ground floor with a kitchen, office and men’s toilets on the first floor.
The ladies and a baby change room will be at the rear of the building on the ground floor.
The former bank safe will be retained and re-used as a cellar, with no changes planned to the outside of the building and only minor alterations inside, including stripping away the bank counter.
Said the planning application: “With the bank being empty for over a year now and with lack on interest due to the restricted layout, the applicant can see the potential by bringing this building back to life, for use as a place to enjoy a drink, hot meal or snack, some music and maybe even a dance.”
A planning agent told Dorset Council, in response to neighbour’s concerns, that the bar was to limit its opening times until midnight Monday to Thursday; until 2.00am Friday and Saturday and until 11.00pm on Sundays, with an extra hour at Bank Holiday weekends.
Extended opening, until 4.00am, would be considered on Friday and Saturdays at the time of the May and August Bank Holidays.
Only low volume music is being planned for the main bar with occasional live bands on Fridays and Saturdays only, with steps being taken to keep the music inside the building.
Part of the licensing conditions include the need for a Noise Management Plan for the premises, to be in place before it opens, with noise monitoring every hour from 9pm – with a direct telephone line for the duty manager to be made available to neighbours in the event of problems.
Conditions were also put in place about CCTV and security with the rear garden to be limited to staff only, when taking a break, and only to be used up until 11pm, with no additional lighting, other than for security purposes.