Plans to turn a disused nightclub into offices have been given the green light.
Civic chiefs have approved an application relating to the former Burton menswear store, which was built in the 1930s and boasts a foundation stone laid by the company's founder, Raymond Montague Burton.
Mr Burton was unable to speak English when he arrived in the UK in 1900.
But he became a general outfitter selling ready-made suits bought from a wholesaler and by 1929 had hundreds of shops, mills, and factories.
In 2021, Boohoo.com announced it was buying the Burton brand from Arcadia, plus the Wallis and Dorothy Perkins brands, for £25.2m, with the loss of around 2,450 jobs. All Burton stores closed as the company became an online-only retailer.
Two years ago Regen Gosport applied for consent to convert the Gosport branch into 14 flats, but the plan has yet to be decided.
The application says: "It's a typically vibrant and bold 1930s building not dissimilar to cinemas of the inter-war period.
READ MORE: Former Burton store in Gosport High Street could be given a new lease of life
"The building is a prime example of Burton’s art deco-style. It dominates the High Street and with its stone façade is a heavy contrast to the delicate facades of adjacent heritage assets.
"It is in great need of restoration if it is to once again provide a positive contribution to the local area."
Now the council has approved an alternative proposal by Regen to turn the first floor, formerly the home of QD's Live Lounge, into offices.
A heritage statement that accompanied the application said the proposed development would make use of a centrally located site that was currently underutilised.
READ MORE: Investigation launched after fire rips through former Burton store in Eastleigh
A council report said local planning policies sought to maintain the vitality and viability of designated shopping centres and allow a greater diversity of uses, which the scheme would achieve.
"The proposals would result in no loss of ground floor retail space. The proposals are, therefore, an acceptable and appropriate use within the town centre.
"Overall, the development would preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, and would not harm the setting of the adjacent Listed Building.
"The proposed use is appropriate within the town centre and would not have any harmful impacts.
"The site is located in an accessible location within walking distance of the necessary facilities and has excellent access to bus routes and the Gosport Ferry which provides access to the national rail network.
"The site can, therefore, be described as highly sustainable."
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