A former nightclub in Ilfracombe is on the chopping block, making way for seven new flats to meet housing needs in the area
Ilfracombe: So, there’s this old nightclub on High Street that’s been around for ages. It used to be called Lucky’s, then Whispers, and later Digz. Now, it looks like it’s going to be torn down to make room for seven new flats.
The owner, Barry Theo, says the place just isn’t cutting it as a nightclub or even a market anymore. They’ve tried renting it out, but no one seems interested. Planning documents show that it’s been a tough sell.
The building is sandwiched between other shops and homes, and a part of it is owned by someone else. It’s got some serious issues too, like dampness and a roof that’s falling apart. They’ll need to do a lot of work to make it livable.
Access to the flats would be from the High Street, but they’ve got separate entrances, which could be handy for future use. Planning officers are a bit worried about how many flats they want to squeeze in and if the windows will overlook each other.
But the design team, LPA Architecture and Design, thinks those worries are overblown. They’ve put a lot of thought into where the windows go to keep things private. They even took inspiration from a cool place in London that has a courtyard at its heart.
They believe this design will create a nice community vibe, connecting shared and private spaces. Plus, they argue that if they cut down the number of flats, the whole project might not even be worth it.
Now, we just have to wait for North Devon Council to decide what’s next for this site.