Former Wetherspoons to become restaurant

The Squire Knott has been closed for a year but could soon see a new lease of life thanks to a change of use application submitted to Oldham council on behalf of Istanbul Restaurant Ltd.

The proposal is to not only change the ground floor of the Yorkshire Street building into a restaurant but to create a covered first floor rooftop dining area.

It is understood the property, which was owned by J D Wetherspoon until 2017, was sold on a freehold basis with an asking price of £375,000 in May last year.

A design and access statement submitted with the application outlined the full proposal.

It stated: “Change of use of the ground floor of the building from pub to a restaurant and creation of covered roof top restaurant on the first floor associate with ground floor.

“Formation of new eating area on the first floor would provide customers with pleasant view from the top looking at the skyline and enjoying the food with a modern new eating experience."

It said the restaurant would remain open for business seven days a week between 11am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday and 11am to 9pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

The statement added: “The lay out of the ground floor area of the restaurant would include the provision of a reception /service area, customers sitting area and food preparation area.

“It is expected that the restaurant would provide sitting facilities for 196 persons on the ground floor and 128 persons the first floor.”

The document went on to argue the town centre development was "appropriate and sustainable" due to its busy location adding it would "help provide additional economic generating activities within the shopping centre and additional employment opportunities in the area" and "promote regeneration".

It said currently the building was empty but already undergoing some renovation and repair works.

The application is currently open for consultation expected to be decided by the end of March.