Plan to turn nightclub into city centre church has been approved

The Anglican Diocese of Leeds revealed its plans to open a new £4.6 million church at a location in the city centre earlier this year. It would be called Fountains Church - named after the iconic City Park fountains.

And last month the Church revealed the location of that church - a complex of former nightclubs and bars called Glydegate Square.

The building - next to the Alhambra and the Bradford Cenotaph, was the home of once popular evening venues including Revolution, Tequila and Vibe.

The site is also within the City Centre Conservation Area.

Anglican church reveals plans to turn city centre nightclub complex into new place of worship

A planning application was submitted to Bradford Council to change the use of the building, which has been hit by vandals since the nightclubs shut, to a 2,930 square metre place of worship with ancillary uses.

Members of Fountains Church outside the new venue

Planning officers have now approved the conversion of the building, saying it would improve its “contribution to the conservation area.”

The church says it will start work on transforming the site “as soon as possible.”

At present the building is in danger of deteriorating and causing harm to the conservation area. A new use may help to restore the building and improve its contribution to the conservation area" - Bradford Council Planning officers

Since the plans were announced there had been 25 letters written to Bradford Council in support of the plans.

Three people had written to the Council objecting to the proposals, lamenting the loss of a city centre nightclub, claiming that the building should be taken on by a community group and suggesting the building was the wrong site for a place of worship.

But planning officers approved the scheme, saying: “The building is in the City Centre Conservation Area and as such makes an important contribution to the heritage value of the area and demonstrates a good example of a modern building that takes its cues from the established architectural styles and materials.

The newly announced Fountains Church which is to be built inside the former Walkabout and Revolution nightclubs

“The building has been designed to reflect the older buildings surrounding it and successfully incorporates Victorian architectural features.

“The site is in the immediate setting of a number of listed buildings, most noticeably Glyde House (Grade II), the Bradford War Memorial (Grade II) and the Alhambra Theatre (Grade II).

“At present the building is vacant and has, unfortunately, attracted vandals and is beginning to look unkempt. This has a negative impact on the visual amenity of the conservation area.

“At present the building is in danger of deteriorating and causing harm to the conservation area. A new use may help to restore the building and improve its contribution to the conservation area.”

The small kiosk building in the square, which will be used to provide a short term base for the new church whilst the works in the larger building are completed

Reverend Linda Maslen, Minister at Fountains Church said: “It’s great that we’ve sorted out another piece of this fantastic jigsaw.

“Many thanks to everyone who is working so hard on this exciting project. We look forward to finalising the legal aspects associated with this as soon as possible.”

The small kiosk building in the square will be used to provide a short term base for the new church whilst the initial works in the larger building are completed.

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