Hartlepool's former Scarlets nightspot in Church Street set to become cafe bistro and student accommodation

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council to convert the former Scarlets in Church Street in the town.

The plans from Mr Kareem and Mr Jaber state they want to convert the ground floor and basement into a cafe bistro, while the upper floors would be used for student accommodation.

The proposed first floor would have a lounge, kitchen and seven student bedrooms, while the second floor would have six student studios.

A heritage, design and access statement submitted on behalf of the applicant states the plans would provide a boost to the historic area of the town.

It said: “By introducing sleeping student accommodation to the upper floors the building is given new life with an appropriate use.

“The ground level commercial entity is important to the vitality of the area.”

It states the existing layout on the ground floor lends itself to use as a cafe, and restoration proposals “will have a beneficial impact” on the area.

The building is in the Church Street Conservation Area, but plans note ‘minimal modifications’ will be needed to the appearance of the building.

Planning documents state the cafe would create four full-time and eight part-time jobs and would be open from 8am until 11pm seven days a week.

Proposals state the development benefits from ‘excellent’ transport links and it is considered ‘very unlikely’ students would own a car and need parking spaces.

However the applicant is prepared to purchase two on-street parking permits for the students’ use on a year-by-year basis if needed.

The proposals would be in line with the regeneration of Church Street and Church Square, which has seen millions of pounds of investment in recent years.

The work is also continuing from the council, and last year officers said they were working on a Heritage Lottery funding application to bring the former Shades site in Church Street back into use.

To comment on the planning application for the former Scarlets site visit the Hartlepool Borough Council planning portal online and search reference number H/2019/0326.