Arts centre plans for former Morecambe church

Sonja and Howard Byrom of Society Antiques & Decorative in Claremont Road have submitted the applicated for the former Central Methodist Church in Green Street, which is a Grade II listed building.

The application is for a partial change of use. The front of the building would remain suitable for a focus on arts-led community events, while the remaining ground floor area would change to storage use for the couple’s antiques business.

In their application they said: “We run a modern, locally based online antique and decorative business with a high end client base and an international reach.

“Having relocated our family to Morecambe 14 years ago, we have always championed regeneration and investment in the town.

“Green Street Methodist Chapel is just a mile away from our own home.

“We are keen to see the historic Poulton area stay apace with current regeneration works happening across Morecambe.

“We aim to sensitively repurpose this grand building for contemporary use in an appropriate, heritage focused way.

“We will give a sustainable future to the building while retaining as much as possible of its special historic and architectural interest.”