Bistro 'future' for Arbroath's Erskine Church
Plans to transform a former Arbroath church into offices and a trendy wine bar-bistro will secure the building’s future “for the next 100 years,” its owner has said.
- By Philip Murray
- Published in the Courier : 13.07.10
- Published online : 13.07.10 @ 08.50am
Architects The Voigt Partnership have announced plans for the dramatic refurbishment of their base at the former Erskine Church in Commerce Street.
If they get the green light, the main church hall will be turned into office space, while the former Guild Rooms where Voigt is currently located would be turned into a two-floor wine bar.
In their submission to Angus Council a spokesperson for the company warned that part of the building is in danger of falling into disrepair unless the plans are given the go-ahead.
"The upper floor hall of the former church building had been utilised as a recreational sub-let to keep-fit classes, which no longer use the hall," the spokesperson added.
"Given that this part of the former church has lain vacant for a number of years there is now a danger of that part of the building falling into disrepair.
"We propose to regenerate the building and provide new access arrangements, additional office facilities and a wine bar and restaurant.
"This will require relocating our existing architects' studio to another part of the building to facilitate the wine bar on the ground floor adjacent to Webster Theatre.
"Careful detailing of all structural elements... and the repair and reuse of the original stained-glass windows as internal back-lit wall plaques, will be essential to the quality and overall success of the proposed redevelopment of this listed building, preserving its future for the next 100 years," they added.
The new wine bar would be accessed from High Street via an alley that runs next to Webster Theatre.
Voigt's proposes roofing over this pend to create an improved entrance that would protect customers from the weather and cut down on any noise.
The wine bar itself would be in the part of the building where the Voigt Partnership is now.
Under the proposals the wine bar would have space for around 64 seated customers, split over two open-plan floors that would be linked by a shared mezzanine area.
The main church hall, meanwhile, would house a range of office and meeting rooms split over the first and second floors.
The building's existing offices and proposed office spaces would be accessed via the church's Commerce Street entrance.
This would be renovated with new steps, ramps, walling and railings.
The applicant also plans to refurbish the building's access to the public car park behind the Webster Theatre, to include a landscaped area, new paving and lighting.
The 189-year-old Erskine Church has been in Voigt's ownership for 20 years.
The firm bought the building in 1990, some five years after the last church services were held.
At the time the company invested heavily in renovating the building and addressing problems with the roof slates, as well as dry and wet rot.
The company sees their new plans as a continuation of those earlier efforts to save the building.
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