Proposal aims to bring long-empty basement back into use
A planning application has been submitted to convert a vacant basement at 11–13 Thurland Street into a late-night bar featuring a DJ and live music. The proposal, lodged by Thurland Hospitality Ltd, would reactivate a commercial unit that has stood empty and graffiti-covered for some time, according to documents submitted to Nottingham City Council.
The planning statement says the project would reinstate the basement for customers by providing seating, bar facilities, a DJ/stage area, cloakrooms, storage, an office and improved toilet facilities, with no significant external changes proposed to the building. It adds that pre-application advice from the council confirmed a full planning application was required and indicated the use would be acceptable in principle given the site’s location within Nottingham city centre.
Local context: a cluster of night-time venues
The property sits amid a compact leisure quarter near several established venues. It neighbours attractions that draw evening footfall and could affect how the new outlet fits into the city-centre offer.
- NQ64 – gaming arcade bar, nearby.
- Mojo – well-known music venue in the vicinity.
- Wonder Pho – Vietnamese restaurant close by.
| Address | Proposed use | Notable features |
|---|---|---|
| 11–13 Thurland Street | Basement bar | Live music, DJ area, internal improvements |
Voices from the street
Members of the public and those who have past connections to the building spoke to local reporters about the proposal. Pedro Felix, who lives in The Meadows, described the location as a “good location” for a bar and noted the pedestrian traffic through the area.
“Lots of people walk around here,” Pedro said. “I used to come to the church here on the upper floor. It is a good idea because of how many clubs there are here.”
Hayley, 35, agreed the location was suitable for a city-centre bar but urged the council to consider the wider mix of uses the city needs. She argued Nottingham has become heavily student-focused and said more family-oriented attractions were necessary if the city wants residents to stay and thrive.
Cara, from Bestwood, took a pragmatic view: “I think it’s a good spot. I would prefer to see the city used than left abandoned.”
Building history and planning considerations
The upper floors were once occupied by UCKG, a Brazilian Christian denomination that arrived in the UK in 1995 and was based at the premises until relocating in 2022. There had previously been intentions to develop student accommodation on the first and second floors, but the space remains advertised as to let.
The planning submission stresses the aim of bringing an existing commercial basement back into active use. Because the application proposes primarily internal changes and a continuation of a leisure-led use typical of the city-centre, the council’s pre-application response concluded the proposed use would be acceptable in principle. The statement notes planners should consider any residential accommodation above the premises when assessing the full application.
What happens next
The council will now consider the full planning application and any representations submitted during the consultation period. Matters likely to inform the decision include the impact on local amenity, noise from live performances and DJs, servicing and rubbish management, and how the venue would operate alongside neighbouring businesses and residents.
As Nottingham continues to balance regeneration, a growing night-time economy and calls for more family-friendly provision, this application will be watched by both leisure operators and residents keen to see long-empty properties returned to productive use.
