PLANS have been unveiled for a town centre clothes shop which has been left empty since a high-street chain was bought out.
Developers Ropemaker Properties have submitted a planning application to BCP Council to redevelop the building formerly used by Topshop and Topman in Bournemouth town centre.
The empty retail units, in Old Christchurch Road, have been unoccupied since Asos bought Topshop and Topman in 2021, but developers are looking to change that.
To develop the site, Ropemaker Properties is proposing to partly demolish the first and second floors of the building.
Once complete, it seeks permission to build 12 residential flats along with restructuring the ground and first floor where the retail units were.
However, no businesses are currently lined up to fill the gap.
A design and access statement by The Harris Partnership, on behalf of the developers, said the first floor will be split into two retail units, with the remaining space dedicated to flats.
Read more: Huge plans to convert House of Fraser in Bournemouth town centre
Twelve apartments within the building will be created along with a rooftop garden and a gym – not open to the general public.
“Terraces and balconies have been introduce to all flats on this floor. This will allow to create a well-connected community with abundant amounts of natural light and life,” the statement added.
“The garden will be shared between the residents. The access to this space will offer a cosy and comfortable semi-private space for socialising between neighbours and increase biodiversity levels.”
As well as the rooftop garden, the developer has said a cyle store will be built to accommodate 16 bikes, which will offer residents a “safe, weatherproof and secure” storage space.
It will also reduce the need for cars and offer an alternative way to travel across the town, the document adds.
Read more: Concerns over Bournemouth town centre House of Fraser development
The shopping arcade in Old Christchurch Road was originally built by Sir George Tapps in 1812 as a group of thatched buildings.
In 1875, Bournemo0uth’s first town hall was built on the site before it eventually became the Criterion Hotel.
Over time, it became an arcade, with the final conversion to shops being completed in 1991.
The arcade was demolished in 2003 leaving only the façade in Old Christchurch Road and closing off the historic way through to Albert Road.
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