Former Royal Hotel pub in Bolton could become 12-bedroom HMO

Plans have been submitted to Bolton Council to convert The Royal Hotel, at the junction of Vernon Street and Davenport Street, following its closure in March this year.

The two-storey pub opened for the final time on Sunday, March 22, after its operator announced the venue was to close and be sold.

Now, a planning application is seeking permission to turn the prominent building into accommodation for 12 people.

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Documents submitted today (August 24) with the application show the plans would create six en-suite bedrooms on the ground floor and a further six en-suite bedrooms upstairs.

Shared kitchen and living facilities would also be provided, while the existing car park at the rear would be used for amenity space, parking, secure cycle storage and waste storage.

The site of the former Royal Hotel

The planning statement describes the former pub as a prominent feature of the street scene and says it is “most likely known as a local landmark”.

Under the proposals, there would be no significant changes to the exterior of the building, with its existing doors, windows and distinctive architectural features retained.

Pub advertising would be removed, but the words “The Royal Hotel” on the stone parapet would remain.

The application argues that finding a new use for the building would help secure its future.

The planning statement says: “Due to a downturn in the general pub trade over the past years it is unlikely that the building will be secured again for long-term use as a public house and as such it is reasonable that an alternative use be found.”

A crime impact assessment produced by Greater Manchester Police’s Design for Security team has also been submitted as part of the application.

It confirms the proposed change of use to a 12-bedroom HMO and says the currently vacant building could otherwise give rise to problems including fly-tipping, criminal damage, loitering and drug or alcohol misuse.

However, the assessment identified a number of security measures which would need to be addressed for Design for Security to support the scheme.

These include measures to protect the privacy and security of ground-floor bedroom windows next to the pavement, burglary-resistant doors and windows, secure post arrangements and an audio-video entry system.

A separate noise assessment was commissioned to examine whether the building would be suitable for residential use.

It found road traffic on Vernon Street and the surrounding road network was the dominant source of noise.

The assessment concluded that required indoor noise levels could only be achieved with windows closed and an alternative means of ventilation.

It said alternative measures, such as mechanical or hybrid ventilation, may therefore be needed if overheating occurs.

Despite this, the acoustic consultants concluded that noise “should not be a limiting factor” in the planning application.

The Royal Hotel had been operated under Admiral Taverns’ Proper Pubs division before its closure.

When the closure was announced, the company said it had taken the decision to sell after concluding the pub did not have a viable long-term future.

The pub held a farewell party before its closure.

The planning application will now be considered by Bolton Council.

Share your memories of the pub in the comments.