Green light for new snooker hall in former retail warehouse
A new snooker hall is set to open in a former retail warehouse in a Fife town.
A bid for a change of use at the former Factory Shop in East Burnside, Cupar, has been approved by Fife Council.
Applicant, Jacob Flower, from the town, wants to create a new venue with seven snooker tables, nine pool tables, a small bar area, and a darts zone. He also plans a new reception area, and wants to add new signage as well as repainting work.
The building was home to the Factory Shop, which sold homeware, furniture and electrical goods, until last July, and has been on the market since it closed.
A planning statement said: “The proposals involve minimal physical alterations to the building. The only external change is the installation of a chiller ventilation unit on the rear elevation to support the internal operation of the facility.
“The site benefits from its own dedicated off street parking, providing 20 spaces, including one accessible space. These spaces will be available for use by patrons of the snooker hall, ensuring convenient access and reducing the potential pressure on surrounding on street parking.
“The proposed use is for a snooker hall and there is no intention to host live music or amplified entertainment that might be audible outside. The internal nature of the activity is inherently low noise, and the structure of the building will further prevent any material noise breakout.” Councillors will consider the application in due course.
Approving Mr Flower’s application, the council said the venture would “secure the productive reuse of a long-vacant commercial building, contributing positively to the vitality and viability of the town centre.”