Annexe to vandal-hit Wigan pub could become a new bar-restaurant

Plans have been lodged for the new venue at a detoriating building attached to the Griffin Hotel in Standishgate
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A new restaurant and bar could soon be created - right next door to a derelict Wigan pub.

The Grade II listed Griffin Hotel in Standishgate has been closed for several years, and has since become a magnet for anti-social behaviour, arson attacks, break-ins and drug-taking.

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Now there are proposals to turn a deteriorating structure attached to it, which used to be a computer shop, into new hospitality facilities.

The former printing shopThe former printing shop
The former printing shop

The venue would be on the ground floor of the building, while it is also hoped two apartments can be created out of the first and second storeys. An extension at the back of the building would be demolished and a single-storey one built in its place.

In a design and access statement on behalf of applicant Mr Allen, Jade Tayor-Daly of AJ Architectural said the building was in need of repair work and that the scheme would allow for this to happen.

She said: “The proposal has been carefully designed to ensure the front elevation fits within the existing street scene. The proposal will not have an overbearing impact on the properties surrounding the site.

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“There is local precedence of similar proposals within the area which have been approved in recent years. The alterations to be made to the building, which is an unlisted building of merit, will not negatively impact the character or architectural feature of the structure.

“The change of use for the upper floors, conversion from commercial space into residential would be considered under permitted development due to the total floor space being under 150m sq.

“The proposed changes would bring the structure back up to habitable standard and give some much needed repair work to the deteriorating structure.”

The planning submission to Wigan Council comes after Wigan Central ward member Lawrence Hunt called for a new use for the building to try to solve its “notorious” problems with drugs. He said he’d like to see housing for families created on the pub site.

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Locals say the Griffin, which used to be managed by Wigan rugby legend Billy Boston, has also been regularly targeted by arsonists.

One incident happened last April when youths set a fire in an outhouse at the pub’s rear, only a stone’s throw away from The Whitesmith Arms.

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