Another gaming company could move to Leamington after plans to turn retail units into offices were approved

Another of the UK’s gaming companies could be about to move into Leamington’s Creative Quarter after plans to turn a shop and restaurant into open plan offices were approved.

Planner Gary Fisher told this week’s [TUE] virtual meeting of Warwick District Council’s Planning Committee that although there was no guarantee that the business would relocate to the town, there was a good chance that they would be based at the premises in Regent Grove.

The name of the company was not given.

The application was for the change of use of the former Prezzo restaurant and Bathstore premises into office accommodation.

Mr Fisher explained that officers recommended that the scheme be approved even though it was against the Local Plan which classed Regent Grove as a retail area rather than an office district.

He added: “There are material circumstances which lead us to a recommendation of approval despite that being the case. As the report sets out, these are really around the benefits of bringing this company to the town, the economic benefits and perhaps the reputational benefits.

“It also brings back into use these two vacant units and helps improve the visual appearance of this part of the town.

“Those have to be balanced against the loss of the secondary retail frontage on the periphery of the town centre and in an area where it is becoming increasingly difficult to let units.

“While we believe they are very keen to move to Leamington, we can’t say that it is a certainty but it would be increased very considerably by agreeing a grant of planning permission.”

Councillors agreed and a report accompanying the application explained that other properties in the vicinity had been empty for long periods.

Cllr Jerry Weber (Lab, Leamington Clarendon) said: “I am amazed that Bathstore has stayed there for so long. Prezzo has left and Bellagio has left so clearly it is time for us to review how we use that street. It’s not working at the moment.

“We are very proud of our gaming industry and although this sits on the edge of the proposed Cultural Quarter, it would still be included so I am going to propose that we approve in line with officers’ recommendations.”

The plans were approved unanimously.