All day café/bar operator Loungers has announced it will withdraw from plans to transform a disused Cowes church into a new social hub in the town.
Despite Loungers’ licensing application being granted at a recent committee hearing and a planning application submitted,
Alex Kalebic, Head of Acquisitions at Loungers, said:
“We are incredibly disappointed but these legal complications just don’t make it possible for us to risk investing over £1m to open a Lounge on this site.
"We were excited about saving this beautiful historic building from falling further into disrepair and bringing it back to life for all to enjoy, as well as creating much needed employment for local people.
“While a small number of local residents opposed the development, we were very grateful for the otherwise overwhelmingly positive support from the Cowes and wider Isle of Wight community.
"Rest assured; we are still keen to open a sister site to our popular Correo Lounge in Newport in this wonderful town at some point in the future and continue to look for other opportunities across the Isle of Wight as well.”
Cowes Methodist Church ceased being used for religious purposes in 2016 and, since then, the property has been used occasionally for events and rehearsals.
Despite a marketing campaign, there has been no interest from religious institutions in purchasing the property.
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