Health spa plan for former Cockermouth bank building

The application for planning permission to change the use of the property on Main Street into a Health Spa and Massage venue was submitted to Allerdale Borough Council.

The building previously served as the National Westminster Bank and is Grade II listed.

The applicant Sean Carr confirmed that the plans will maintain the building's historic character.

He stated: "I have no intentions now, or in the future, to make any changes/development whatsoever to the building. The building will maintain its current appearance and the heritage of the site will absolutely not be affected. There will be no building work or alterations made inside or outside of the building - the shop will be used in its current form."

Due to the nature of the business, there will be decrease in customers attending the site (approximately 4 - 7 customers per day as opposed to 20 - 40+ customers when the shop was used as retail) and the applicant maintains there will be "no issues with queues or crowding".

In documents submitted to Allerdale Borough Council, the applicant also vowed to ensure the business served to promote other local firms.

The business will "promote other local businesses" and "will be of therapeutic benefit to the public," the applicant confirmed, with the business also set to create jobs for two people, providing apprentice training.

"There will be no refreshments or planned seated areas in the building - customers will be guided to the businesses on the Main Street for refreshments and seating if they are early. I plan to use local suppliers for materials within the shop," Mr Carr stated.

The applicant states that he is of "good standing in the community," previously serving as a Special Constable/Sergeant serving Copeland and Allerdale, and is a current Special Constable for Annan/Gretna and, therefore, feels best placed to take this historic building into a new era, while ensuring its past remains honoured.