Councillors have welcomed plans to replace a former city centre nightclub with a block of 56 flats – while retaining an historic art deco cinema foyer.

Planning committee members at Stoke-on-Trent City Council approved the application to demolish the former Chicago Rock Cafe in Foundry Street, Hanley, and build a six-storey apartment building in its place.

The building was originally the Odeon cinema, with the auditorium being converted into Chicago Rock Cafe in 2003 – the nightspot closed at the start of the first Covid lockdown and never reopened. But the cinema's art deco style foyer, which was converted into a bar in 1999, will be retained under the plans put forward by LPW Development UK.

Commericial space will be provided on the ground floor of the new building, with apartments on the upper five floors. Members of the planning committee agreed that the plans would bring a derelict city centre back into use, while saving a locally important building in the form of the Odeon foyer.

Councillor Ross Irving said: "I think that is important. I think this might be one of the last 1920s or 1930s art deco designs left in the city. The Broadway in Meir went years ago, and the Danilo in Stoke was a very fine art deco building.

The building was originally the Odeon cinema (Google).

"So I think it's important that this is being retained, even if it isn't listed. I was a bit concerned we might have been losing the facade, but I'm pleased that we're not.

"I think in this day and age, with changes to commercial usage in the city centre, if you're going to redevelop it has to be at least mostly residential. I don't know if living in Foundry Street would be my idea of heaven, but no doubt somebody will think it is."

Councillor Dave Evans suggested that the success of the apartment building will depend on whether action is taken to restore the former Sentinel building in nearby Brockley Square, which was gutted by a major fire in March.

He said: "I think it's good to see a derelict building being brought back into use.

"But a point I'd make is that directly opposite this building, is the old Sentinel building where we had a fire not so long ago. It's been derelict ever since.

"I would argue that the commercial viability of these residential units will probably largely depend on what this council does with that landlord, and getting that building sorted out. Because nobody will want to live opposite that in the state it's in now."

Under the plans, 19 parking spaces will be provided on the lower ground floor, with vehicular access off Lower Foundry Street. The planning committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions and the developer making a financial contribution of £21,712 towards local health infrastructure.

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READ MORE: What's on in Stoke this weekend: Hanley Fun Day, Luminarium and Tales in the Park

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