'Premium' plan unveiled to give 'eyesore' building new lease of life as a cabaret bar

A former snooker club is set to transformed into a cabaret bar serving ‘premium food and drink’ at a prominent Prestwich site. A planning application has been lodged this week for the former Riley’s snooker club opposite Marks and Spencer on Bury New Road.

The plans for Ikons Bar, lodged by Kensington Pub Company, propose to use the building as a cabaret bar serving food and drink. The application also covers the installation of a new ‘oak effect’ raised deck, ramped access and a fence to the front of the venue to form a new external seating area.

It also includes new bifold doors to the front and festoon lighting with associated posts. A design and access statement with the plans, said: “The proposed works form part of the refurbishment of the now vacant former Riley’s snooker hall into a cabaret venue and bar.

“The current venue has been closed for an extended period and is in a poor state of repair. The proposed change promises to provide a premium food and drinks venue with associated cabaret acts to a currently underused and dilapidated building.”

The venue would have a maximum capacity of 250 people. The plans say that if approved the venue would employ five full-time and five part time staff.

The planning statement, added: “We believe that most customers to the premises will travel via taxi, public transport or on foot to the site with staff parking on neighbouring streets if necessary.”

Proposed opening hours have been published of 11am to midnight on weekdays and 11am to 2am on Friday and Saturday.

The applicant said the rear of the premises the site is bordered by a bowling green associated with the adjacent Liberal club which ‘provides a significant buffer from any residential properties’. The statement conclusion, said: “We believe that the proposed change of use will benefit the surrounding area while also bringing life back into a currently underused site which is becoming an eyesore.

“We do not believe that the proposed new use is out of place due to its location on the main road through Prestwich.”

Planners at Bury Council will make a decision on the proposed change of use in the coming weeks.