A BAR that regularly makes a loss is hoping to turn around its fortunes by converting its function room to flats.
Skippy’s Bar, a two-storey building on the corner of Charles Street and Edward Street in Griffithstown, Pontypool, will remain trading when its first floor is used as two flats as well as providing two bedrooms for a flat in the building next door.
A planning statement explained the ground and first floors of the end of terrace house were converted to large, open bar areas “sometime after 1949” which also involved extending into part of the next-door home, at number 44 Charles Street.
“Part of number 44 Edward Street was incorporated into the upper floor to provide the ladies’ toilet facilities,” according to the statement, which said Skippy’s now struggles to trade.
“Unfortunately, patronage of local bars such as this, which serves very confined geographical areas, has significantly declined in recent years, and many similar bars are closing at an ever increasing rate nationally.”
The statement said regulars can be “adequately accommodated” on the ground floor, “even at the busiest times” with the upstairs “used purely as a function room for a number of years” and usually “only a couple of times a year”.
It continued: “Overall, the bar tends to make a regular annual loss. The decision has now been taken to convert the upper floor back into residential use.”
The plans will see one two-bedroom and a three-bedroom flat created on the first floor with the remaining space converted to two bedrooms for the flat at number 44.
Three new windows
Three new windows will be added to the back wall of Skippy’s for a bathroom and bedroom of the one flat.
As they would be overlooking the backs of existing homes on Edward Street the new windows, including those in the bedroom, will have to be obscured.
Torfaen Borough Council planning officer Tom Braithwaite said in a report, which approved the change of use application: “Whilst it would be preferable for these bedroom windows to remain clear, the positioning and constraints of the site, necessitate obscurity to protect the amenities of existing occupiers.”
He also noted the buildings share an outdoor space: “The site is unique in its circumstances regarding outdoor amenity space, with number 44 Edward Street and the bar’s rear courtyard sharing garden/amenity space.”
Designs for a new replacement fire escape, for the outside of the building, will also have to be submitted to the council, and approved, to avoid overlooking.
The council’s environmental health officer is also satisfied with measures proposed to manage noise from the continued use of the downstairs bar.