Former nightclub set to become a fish and chip shop

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

The old Pacific Bar pictured on South Parade in Rochdale

A former nightclub in the centre of Rochdale could soon be turned into a fish and chip shop.

The site on South Parade used to be home to the Pacific Bar before it closed down and was temporarily used as the base for Rochdale Foodbank. The applicant, A One Security & FM Ltd, wants to bring the vacant building back into use with three flats above the takeaway.

The current lack of use is deemed as ‘unsustainable’ by the applicant and they have recognised a demand for housing in the town centre.

The first floor would contain two flats with one-bedroom, bathroom, and open plan living room with a kitchen and dining room attached to it. The second floor flat would have all the same facilities as the other flats but in separate rooms, according to the floorplans proposed.

The ground floor would become the home of the new chippy.

The historical building was constructed between the 18th and 19th century. Originally known as Robin Hood Inn, it was in existence by the early 19th century as part of the recreation of the South Parade streetscene, a heritage statement read.

The shops on South Parade were given a facelift back in 2022, and painted in bright colours as part of the South Parade and Drake Street Property Improvement Scheme, a collaboration between Rochdale Borough Council and Historic England.
 

Read more: Rochdale town centre shops given colourful facelift as part of major heritage projectPublished: 18 August 2022

Planning documents state that the changes of use would have no impact on the building’s heritage as the alterations would be for the interior of the building.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter