Grade II* listed building in Bradford could be turned into bedsits

The former Natwest bank on Hustlergate is Grade II* listed, dates back to 1867 and is considered by many to be one of the city’s finest buildings.

It has been vacant since NatWest merged its two city centre sites into a single building on Market Street in 2017.

Now a planning application has been submitted to convert a section of the first and second floor of the building, No 24 Bank Street and Nos 8 and 10 Piece Hall Yard, from office space to a house of multiple occupation.

If the plans are approved, this section of the building will be divided into eight bedsits with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.

The application only relates to the first and second floor office space – not the grand bank hall or area of the building currently occupied by the Peace Museum and a solicitors’ office.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it www.facebook.com/groups/yorkshirecoronavirusThe application has been submitted by Withernsea Investments, which runs a number of city centre pubs, including City Vaults, and a coffee shop.

It says: “The applicant employs a number of staff who currently have to travel from outside of the centre to get into work. They can work irregular and late hours which poses problems for returning home after a shift.

“The accommodation created on the upper floors of the building is intended for these staff to provide them with a good standard of accommodation with the convenience of being near their place of work and as part of a vibrant city centre.

“The proposed use will help preserve the future of this important city centre building.”

The main banking hall, opposite another architectural icon in the Wool Exchange, is famous for its ornately patterned ceiling.

The new application says this section of the building is still being marketed, adding: “The ground floor main banking hall with its imposing corner entrance below the main tower is currently being marketed as unique quality retail/ commercial accommodation.”

Ever since the bank shut, Bradford Civic Society has called for the building to be brought back to use – possibly as a cultural attraction. In 2017, society chair Si Cunningham said he was in “awe” of the building, and on its possible future uses he said: “Anything less than perfect would be failing Bradford.”

After looking at the latest planning application he said: “We’re dealing with a real historical landmark here.

“On one hand you could say that it’s good to bring a bit of life back into the upper floors of the city centre, but you have to question whether this is the best use of really remarkable building. I’d have hoped the days of bedsits were coming to an end.

“I think a lot of people had high hopes for it, and many people had suggested that it would be in a good position for cultural usage, given its proximity to the Wool Exchange and City Hall.

“I hope a bit more information is forthcoming from the applicant, particularly for what will happen to the ground floor.”

A decision in the application is expected in late May.

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