New plans for apartments at a former nightclub and rooftop restaurant site in Stoke-on-Trent have been submitted to the city council. 

The proposals have been submitted for the building of the former Crystal Lounge on Brunswick Street, Hanley, to be converted into 13 one-bedroom apartments.  

Similar plans to turn the ground and first floor into seven apartments were refused in 2021, with the Potteries Heritage Society arguing the site was "completely unsuited" for flats. 

The design statement submitted with the application says: "The development consists of the change of use from bar/nightclub to 13 no apartments. 

"There are 3 apartments proposed on the ground floor, 4 proposed on the first floor, 4 proposed on the second floor, and 2 in the former restaurant at roof level. 

"The age of the original building is unknown, but it underwent significant refurbishment 10 years ago to turn it into a bar/nightclub with roof top restaurant."

 The Luqqa Lounge used to operate on the top floor and objected to the previous proposals but the business has now closed on Brunswick Street.

The developer, Hulme Upright, is proposing a wood "privacy screen" on the ground floor to address privacy and noise complaint concerns raised in the 2021 refusal. 

The property is situated just yards away from the decades-old music venue, The Sugarmill. 

In addition, the proposals include no provision for parking but the developers say there are a number of pay and display car parks and buses in the area which can be used.

The design statement adds: "This was in anticipation of the growing night-time economy in the area, which includes other bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and a live music venue. 

"Sadly, this night-time economy did not take off in the way expected. The top floor restaurant has recently been vacated, and the ground and first floor bar/nightclub areas have been vacant for nearly ten years. 

"Despite extensive marketing through local estate agents these areas have stood empty for the last ten years having never been occupied since being refurbished. 

"The owner/ applicant is naturally anxious to get the building occupied, and therefore the time has come to consider other uses.

"It would now appear one of the few options for its re-use would be a change of use to residential in the form of 13 apartments."

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