Future of historic Lancashire building in doubt after plans withdrawn

Fylde Council has confirmed that an application relating to the former TSB building at 52-64 Poulton Street, Kirkham, has been pulled from the planning process before a decision was made.

The proposal sought permission for the change of use of the ground floor from commercial premises to a public house, alongside the installation of extraction vents to the rear of the building.

The former TSB building on Poulton Street, Kirkham (Image: Phil Platt)

In a decision notice dated July 17, Fylde Council said it had received correspondence from the applicant requesting the application be withdrawn and confirmed it would no longer be considered.

The notice states: "I acknowledge your instruction and can confirm that the application has been noted as withdrawn on the Planning Register and so will not now be the subject of a decision by Fylde Council."

When contacted by the Lancashire Telegraph, Fylde Council said that no reason had provided by the applicant.

The withdrawal comes just months after Fylde Council announced that heads of terms had been agreed with a prospective tenant for the Grade II listed former Girls' Charity School building, which later operated as a Lloyds/TSB bank.

The council had said in May that the long-vacant property was set to reopen as a sports bar, coffee lounge, and bistro under the name 1860, subject to planning approval and final contracts.

A spokesperson had previously said: "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 building, which dates back to 1860, was purchased by Fylde Council in 2022 as part of wider regeneration plans for Kirkham and has since undergone extensive restoration works funded through the Kirkham Futures programme.