Former Pontefract bar approved for beauty salon and flat conversion
Plans to bring a former town centre bar in Pontefract back into use as a nail and beauty salon with a one-bedroom flat above have been approved.
The application relates to Bar Liquid at 12 Shoe Market.
The building will see its ground and first floors converted into a beauty salon, while the second floor is turned into a self-contained flat.
The three-storey property, located within the Pontefract Conservation Area, had previously operated as a bar but closed after becoming commercially unviable.
Under the approved plans, the ground floor will be used as a nail and beauty salon with treatment rooms and customer facilities, while the first floor will provide additional treatment space along with staff facilities.
The upper floor will be converted into a one-bedroom flat, with living space, kitchen, bathroom and study area.
Planning officers said the proposal made good use of an underused building while still keeping an active commercial use in the town centre.
A planning statement submitted on behalf of applicant Anh Van Thi Nguyen said: “The application site comprises a three-storey building located within the historic town centre of Pontefract.
“The building is not listed but forms part of the wider conservation area and contributes positively to the established streetscape through its scale, proportions and traditional architectural form.
“The surrounding area is characterised by a mix of commercial, service, and residential uses, reflecting the town centre’s historic and evolving mixed-use nature.”
A number of external changes are also included to improve the building’s appearance within the historic streetscape.
These include removing outdated signage, awnings and other fixtures, cutting back the number of security cameras, and repainting the exterior in a light bisque cream finish.
The application received no objections from members of the public and key consultees including highways officers and West Yorkshire Police raised no concerns, subject to conditions.
Conservation officers supported the scheme after amendments, noting that the changes would help preserve and enhance the character of the area.
In approving the plans, the council said the loss of the former bar was acceptable, pointing to other nearby pubs and the lack of recent commercial interest in the site.