Former bank could become bingo hall and gym

A former city centre bank could be turned into a bingo hall, gym and tanning salon.

Plans have been submitted to Sheffield City Council to transform the site of the Halifax bank on High Street.

The building has been empty since the summer of 2024 after the bank failed to renew the lease.

Council planning officers have until 6 March to make a decision.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a proposal has been put forward to operate with three separate uses; a gym in the basement, bingo premises on the ground floor and a solarium/tanning salon on the first floor.

The applicant, Amuse 2016 Limited, described the scheme as a £1m investment with different business which would complement each other and others in the High Street as well as attracting new customers..

The application said: "The development as a whole will add to the vitality and viability of the street, which is showing signs of suffering at the moment.

"The proposal will add to the growth and diversification of the city centre and bring back into use a vacant building."

A report noted that the property in question was not in demand despite a suggestion reduction in rent. The report stated that Halifax paid £300,000 annually but there was little interest even when the lease was dropped to £95,000.

The report said: "Subject to the grant of planning and appropriate licences, the applicant has committed to a 15-year lease and will invest between £600,000 and £700,000 just in the bingo unit on the ground floor."

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