MULTI-MILLION pound plans to restore the “iconic” Daily Echo building on Bournemouth’s Richmond Hill were presented to councillors ahead of a formal planning application being submitted.

Peter Tisdale, property director at THAT Group, told members of the planning board that the company was “very excited” to develop the Grade II-listed Art Deco building should planning permission be granted for the scheme.

The company, which specialises in mixed-use property development, plans to introduce expanded office space and bedroom accommodation, as well as a café, restaurant, rooftop bar, and gin distillery.

The Print Room will be refurbished as a central reception and meeting room space.

Refurbished office space for the Bournemouth Daily Echo team is also included in the scheme.

Mr Tisdale said the project was “much loved” among the THAT Group team and architects EPR.

“We realise it comes with responsibility given the great building it is, in such a prime location and surrounded by listed buildings,” he told the board.

“We think there’s more demand for co-work space, which is a hot desk and short term office accommodation model for young businesses. It’s a model that works well in Bournemouth.”

The plans have been designed to ensure the character of the Echo building, which was built in the 1930s, is respected and preserved for the long-term. Many of the historic internal and external fixtures and fittings will be retained.

“It’s fair to say we believe the enhancements and additions to the building are fairly modest in the big picture - we hope ultimately that’s how you feel,” Mr Tisdale told board members.

He said the Print Room will become the “heart of the building” if it is redeveloped.

Chairman of the planning board, Cllr David Kelsey, asked for more details about the accommodation contained in the scheme.

Mr Tisdale explained the rooms would be booked “in the same way as a hotel”, but will be operated “like a members club”.

“The predominant part of the use of this building is co-work. It’s highly skewed towards that. With the co-work space we have a reception, lounge, café, bar, which bolt onto the bedrooms.”

Cllr Kelsey also asked if parking spaces would be provided with the redeveloped building, however Mr Tisdale explained there would not be any.

“It would be inappropriate not to mention this has been a big talking point with officers over the last few months. But we cannot provide a substantial car parking facility,” he said.

Cllr Lynda Price said the Echo building was “iconic, beautiful and well known by everybody that lives around here”.

She added: “It would be an utter shame to see the actual outline of it distorted in some way by having something put on top of it.”

Mr Tisdale said the new space on the upper levels had been “carefully designed”.

A planning application will be submitted to Bournemouth council in May.