Landmark Stourbridge shop to be converted to a restaurant with apartments after 48 years of serving customers
A former landmark Stourbridge gas fire shop which served customers for 48 years is to be turned into a restaurant, while a planning application submitted seeks permission to convert the upstairs into two flats.
Number 20 Lower High Street was previously home to Gasway, which sold gas fires and other products.
The shop closed on February 28 2024 when owner Dave Jackson decided to call it a day after 48 years in business and tragically he passed away suddenly just a month later on March 24, aged 81.
A plan lodged with Dudley Council planners says the former downstairs shop unit is now set to be turned into a restaurant under permitted development rights.
Permission for a change of use for the first and second floors is sought to create a two-bedroom flat and a studio apartment.
Permission to install an extraction canopy to the rear of the ground floor property/restaurant is also sought, along with permission to install new windows on the first and second floors.
A design and access statement submitted to planners says: “The existing site is currently vacant previously occupied as a class E retail shop on the ground floor with first and second floor used for ancillary storage. Structurally and visually the building is in a good condition.”
It adds: “Externally the shopfront will be changed to match existing in timber frame to provide a fresh new appearance. The first and second floor windows will also be replaced to UPVC double glazed. Internally the building will be finished to a modern elegant appearance to provide customer seating area on the ground floor and modern living accommodation on the first and second floor.
“The overall design of the building externally will remain the same with new shopfront to match existing. The internal layout will be altered on the ground floor to provide a fine dining restaurant environment and on the first and second floor modern living accommodation.
“The internal layout on the ground floor will be altered to provide the best setting for a restaurant with open plan customer seating area. The proposed flats on the first and second floor have been sized to meet guidelines. The two-bed flat will accommodate four people and has a total area of 70sqm, the studio flat is for a single individual and has been sized at 43sqm.
“Externally the building appearance will be retained with new shopfront to match existing. Materials used internally and externally will be of high standard and quality to represent quality dining experience.”
The design and access statement says the opening hours of the restaurant would be 11am to 11pm Monday to Sunday and the eatery would employ six full-time staff.
To conclude the statement says: “The restaurant will continue to be economically viable for the local area as it is well populated with a mix use of buildings. The proposed accommodation at first and second floor will provide modern spacious living accommodation to those working or studying locally. The changes to the existing building would be very successful which will help bring up the surrounding area and attract customers and other businesses.”
