A much-loved former cafe in Sunderland city centre could be revived as a student accommodation complex.
Louis Cafe closed its doors for the final time in 2018 after owners took the difficult decision to cease trading.
The business first started in Ryhope in 1924 and later opened in Crowtree Road in Sunderland city centre, before moving premises to Park Lane in 1975.
After sitting vacant for several years, a planning application has now been lodged to repurpose the building as student apartments.
The plans, from MTA Land Investments, aim to establish a retail space on the ground floor and ‘cluster’ apartments above.
The accommodation plans include two new upper storeys built directly up from the existing perimeter walls.
If approved, the building would be given a modern facelift with separate entrances created for the student apartments and the commercial unit at ground floor level.
According to floor plans, the development would offer more than 30 bedrooms split across the first, second and third floors and two accessible studio apartments and cycle storage on the ground floor.
The facility would offer lounge and kitchen areas while the basement would be sidelined for ‘communal recreation areas’ such as a gym, cinema room and games room.
Councillor Michael Dixon, who represents the St Michael’s ward, has asked for the application to be ‘called in’ to be discussed in public.
He said: “Louis Cafe in Park Lane is a landmark building that brought many happy memories to generations of people in Sunderland before it was closed in 2018.
“As a result I will be requesting, through the ‘called-in’ process, that the current planning application is heard by the council’s planning and highways (east) committee of which I am a member.
“I firmly believe this serves the public interest best, as it will enable the people of the city to follow this application through the committee process.
“At this stage, the planners are currently gathering the various reports they require, as with any such application, prior to making their recommendation at a later date.”
Cllr Dixon added: “Although situated in St Michael’s ward where I am a councillor, these premises are really of city-wide interest, which is why I am requesting this procedure.”
Comments relating to the application can be submitted up until the end of Tuesday, December 15 by contacting the council’s planning department or commenting on its online planning portal.
For more information on the application, click here and search reference: 20/02005/FUL.
