Historic Grade II listed building on Kirkham high street to become new sports bar named 1860
“We are pleased that this restoration project has preserved the building’s historic character”
The former TSB bank on Poulton Street - originally a girls’ charity school before becoming a community hall - is to be given the exciting new lease of life following a substantial refurbishment by Fylde Council funded by the Government's Future High Streets Fund.
The bar will be named 1860, in celebration of the year from which the distinctive building dates, and a planning permission for its new function is currently being considered by the council.
After the building closed as a bank, it sat vacant for several years before Fylde Council secured its future as part of the Kirkham Futures regeneration programme.
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The council purchased the building in March 2022 and has overseen a programme of restoration work to preserve the building's historic character and original architectural features.
Heads of terms have now been agreed with incoming tenant 1860 who, subject to contract and planning consent, will operate a sports bar, coffee lounge and bistro from the premises, creating local jobs and bringing new footfall to Kirkham's high street.
A spokesperson for Fylde Council said: “The Former Girls’ Charity School is an important part of Kirkham’s heritage, and we are pleased that this restoration project has preserved the building’s historic character.
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“With a new tenant now in place, this long vacant property will be brought back into use, helping to deliver key regeneration goals by creating jobs, increasing footfall and supporting the development of the daytime and evening economy in the town.”
The refurbishment forms part of Kirkham Futures, a four-year programme representing the biggest investment in Kirkham in a generation, funded by the Historic England High Street Heritage Action Zone, the Government's Future High Streets Fund and contributions from Lancashire County Council, Fylde Council and Kirkham Town Council.
The refurbishment was carried out by Accrington-based Rosslee Construction, appointed by Fylde Council and has aimed to preserve the character of the building while remodelling the interior into a bar and restaurant, repairing exterior elements such as railings and paving, and replacing the 1970s rear extension with contemporary details and a rear patio terrace with landscape garden area.