UK: The conversion and extension of Ormskirk’s grade two-listed former Magistrates’ Court into an aparthotel has been given the go-ahead by West Lancashire Council.
The plans, put forward by hotelier Walker & Williams, will see the listed building converted into 23 apartments, along with a shared lobby and reception. There will be a 35-cover restaurant and bar on the ground floor, within the original building, and a further 46-cover restaurant on the first floor, within the existing courtroom.
Built in the mid-1800s, the Court has been vacant since 2016. Existing features, including sash windows, will be retained and repaired where possible, while the interior layout of the building will be kept largely intact.
A rear extension, built in the 1970s, is due to be demolished as part of the plans, and replaced with a new extension, adjoining the original building via a two-storey link corridor. Designed by Frank Whittle Partnership, the proposals have also been supported by PWA Planning.
West Lancashire’s planning committee gave the scheme the go-ahead at a meeting last week.
Walker & Williams currently operates two sites in Preston, the Winckley Square Hotel and the No.10 Hotel, as well as a site in Chester.</p
