An abandoned UK restaurant and gym that have been left to rot will be resurrected after planning approval. Metro Bank has applied for planning permission to open a new branch in Nottingham at a site formerly occupied by the Harvester restaurant and Orangetheory Fitness.
New Life for a Vacant Site
The former Harvester restaurant, more recently Orangetheory Fitness on Castle Bridge Road, has sat empty since 2024. Now, Metro Bank plans to breathe new life into the property. The lender is bucking the trend of banks vanishing from the high street by seeking to establish a physical location for customers.
The site is situated between Nottingham city centre and Lenton, near a Holiday Inn, McDonald's, and Sainsbury's. The planning application, lodged with Nottingham City Council, states that "the site meets their (the bank) locational and operational requirements, as they expand across the UK."
Investment and Jobs
The application highlights that "investment into Nottingham will provide accessible banking services to a wider catchment, as well as result in the occupation of a prominent vacant commercial unit within the city centre." The new bank will generate several full-time positions, with approximately 60% of them being first-time banking roles offering training in customer relations and financial services.
Building Alterations
The proposal includes recladding the front elevation, fitting new shopfront glazing and vinyls. The application states: "The proposed design and reconfiguration of the building will result in the enhancement of a dated building and will provide an overall uplift to the unit's currently vacant appearance." The alterations are described as high-quality and reflective of surrounding shopfronts, demonstrating an understanding of the site's context. The roof reconfiguration will not increase the building's scale or massing, and the vehicular access remains unchanged, with parking layout reconfigured to match the previous arrangement.
The application is open for consultation until 21 June, after which a decision will be made by the planning officer or committee depending on the level of response.
