Planning consent given for Piano Building re-model
News release issued:
At its Planning Committee meeting last night (Tuesday 17 September) Wyre Forest District Council approved plans to upgrade the Grade ll Listed Piano Building to re-purpose it for mixed commercial use.
Plans submitted by the council detail the change of use from a higher education academy, restaurant and retail space to mixed use office, food and beverage space and entertainment plus retail area. The planning committee also approved the associated internal refurbishment work including the creation of a new entrance lobby and landscaping work outside.
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council said
“We are pleased to have the detailed plans for the Piano Building approved. Our contractor, Speller Metcalfe is now on site and ready to bring the plans to life. This development represents the re-use of a locally and nationally significant listed building in a primary retail area of Kidderminster town centre. As a building that is owned and managed by the council, the plans provide a significant opportunity to support the economic growth of the district and our longer-term aspirations in regenerating and reinvigorating Kidderminster town centre.”
Councillor Dan Morehead, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda said,
“It will be great to see the re-purposing of the building completed and to see the lights on with people using the building again. We look forward to offering new tenants ‘one of a kind’ modern workspaces with lots of glass, oak floors and industrial look features as well as a central destination for local people and visitors to meet up for a night out or daytime bite to eat and drink.”
The Piano Building will be ready to occupy from the Summer 2025. Enquiries about office or commercial space should go to property@wyreforestdc.gov.uk
Read more on the regeneration of Kidderminster.
Commentary by Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council:
Well, it's great to be here on the first floor of the Piano Building. This is going to be an exciting project where over the next few months, we're going to see this building transformed.
This has been purchased by funding from the Levelling Up Fund from the Government, by Wyre Forest District Council, as the next step in the jigsaw to wanting to regenerate this area of Kidderminster.
Obviously, the Piano Building is a Grade II listed building, and obviously we want to make sure that the work is done properly and subject to planning consent and obviously regenerate the listed building and bring back the heritage back into this part of Kidderminster.
Commentary by William Hamilton, Head of Design at Speller Metcalfe:
Our works here at the Piano Building will consist of repairs and refurbishment to the existing facade, and then internally we’ll be removing and replacing all of the ventilation and electrical systems and generally refurbishing all of the spaces to create open plan offices and entertainment spaces.
We'll be carrying out external landscaping works to improve the entrance, and also improve the approach to the building.
For future tenants the building will provide a industrial look and feel with exposed brickwork and structure, showcasing traditional and modern methods of construction. This will allow the tenants to be part of one of the historic buildings at Kidderminster Town Centre.
The building is in a fabulous location with great proximity to local facilities such as the local shopping centre and bus transport.
The building will benefit from brilliant external views from lower and upper levels, with great views over the adjacent canal.