Stirling city centre restaurant Monterey Jacks wants to turn upper floors of its B-listed building into holiday lets.
The business has submitted planning and listed building applications to Stirling Council for the building at 1 Corn Exchange Road.
The want to make internal alterations on the ground, first and third floors plus turn offices on the second floor into five residential suites.
The chain has bought the building and 61 King Street and says their plans are aimed at meeting the needs of a post-pandemic city centre.
In documents submitted with the applications, agents for the company said: “The works involve forming five suites with ensuite to complement the restaurant’s business already present.
“The third-floor residential level will be refurbished only with only minimal alterations. A small wc and cupboard will be added. Although the works are minor in nature, we would require the support of the council for a change of use to residential suites.
“It is unlikely that the upper levels would be sustainable as offices as more people have converted to working at home and businesses generally have moved away from town centre locations due to parking restrictions and environmental concerns. This is evident and supported by the long-term vacancy of the building previously.
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“The recent pandemic has also had an impact and will negatively effect towns and cities for years to come. Online shopping has altered how people shop and key to keeping life in our towns and cities is to have people visiting and living in them and utilising the tourist attractions, bars, restaurants and cafés that exist in the city in abundance. Stirling is a unique city and attracts a significant number of tourists and supporting businesses that contribute to jobs and the local economy will be paramount for life and vibrance of all towns and cities in Scotland.
“Access is a major consideration and given this is a B listed building it would not seem appropriate to install any disabled access to reach upper levels. The vertical access is stepped and does not lend itself to one continuous vertical access and therefore is not practical or desirable in a listed building of this quality. The entrance access stair from Corn Exchange Street is high quality feature of this building.’’
Council planners are expected to make a recommendation on the applications in due course.
