Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 23 July 2023

A NEW rooftop bar with staff accommodation could soon be installed atop a real ale bar and live music venue in Hinckley town centre, if approved by council planners.

Plans have been lodged with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s planning portal earlier this month (Wednesday, 5 July) seeking out approval to create a new rooftop bar with flats for members of staff above The Clarence, in the middle of Market Place.

According to the Design and Access statement penned by Paul Bukin, Chief Executive Officer of Bukin Lett Architecture, the proposed development would be accessed by using an existing staircase at the side near The Borough, and the ground floor bar.

At present, the roof is formed of a mix of mansard roofs and roof flats.

But, it is hoped that planners will give the ‘thumbs up’ to approve the creation of two one-bedroom flats, two studios, and one two-bedroom apartment – a total of five new places of accommodation for the benefit of staff members.

In the same access statement, it was mentioned that one of the studios, and the two-bedroom apartment ‘could double’ as “entertainment pods” for live entertainment.

Paul further added that both he and his client, Dr. Raghu Ramaiah, believe the plans will prove a good opportunity in helping the council ‘regenerate’ the town centre.

He explained: “We feel the regeneration of this building would be a good opportunity for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to regenerate Market Place for the overall improvement of Hinckley town centre, as initially suggested in the Hinckley Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal 2013.”

An internal target date for the council’s planning division to make a decision has been set for five weeks time, on Wednesday, 30 August, 2023.