Wimborne Lounge plans to turn former bank into hotel

Plans have been tabled by Loungers to change the use of the first and second floors of the former TSB bank and Grade II listed building in The Square, Wimborne, into a hotel. 

The plans would be in connection with the ground floor Piazzo Lounge restaurant currently being built, expected to be opening in April. 

Proposals, which need to have permission granted from Dorset Council, would include “only modest rearrangements” providing five ensuite bedrooms (two bedrooms on the first floor and three bedrooms on the second floor). 

The first and second floor could become hotel rooms (Image: Google Maps)

A design and access statement, submitted to Dorset Council on behalf of Loungers UK Limited, said: “The proposals seek the change of use of the first and second floors to a hotel (five ensuite rooms) together with internal fit out.  

“It is considered they would not have a detrimental impact on the character or appearance of the building nor the Conservation Area.  

“It is therefore requested that planning permission and listed building consent be granted.” 

It adds: “The company seek to make maximum use of their buildings that they occupy and in many properties they convert the upper floors to provide a hotel as a complementary use to their ground floor Lounge restaurants.” 

Read more: Lounge coming to Wimborne town centre in £1m investment

Gemma Irwin, community manager at The Lounges, said: “We’re not deliberately moving into the hotel business, however, we are hoping to get planning permission and explore the possibility of providing some rooms at Piazzo Lounge.

"It’s a natural extension of the top-notch hospitality Loungers is well known for.  We currently have rooms at Albero Lounge in Bedford.” 

Bristol-based Loungers, an operator of bars and restaurants across England and Wales under the names Lounge and Cosy Club, took over Wimborne’s former TSB building last year. 

As part of a £1 million investment, the company plans to open a new bar and café in Wimborne town centre on April 12. 

Read more: Loungers to open new Wimborne town centre bar in April

The new site, called Piazzo Lounge, will join the more than 170 Loungers bars across the UK – including existing sites in Westbourne, Winton, Christchurch, Poole and Ringwood. 

Piazzo Lounge will create approximately 26 jobs from a range of front- and back-of-house roles. 

Gemma Irwin, community manager at Loungers, previosuly said: “We are delighted to be bringing Loungers to Wimborne Minster. Our Lounges strive to put community at the heart of hospitality.”