New lease of life for disused Southsea sites with bar and restaurant plans

Separate applications have been submitted for an expanded bar in Elm Grove, in Southsea, where the former Hammonds fitted bedroom centre is, and for a mixed use development including ground floor restaurant in the building of the closed restaurant Montparnasse in Palmerston Road.

As part of the plans in Elm Grove the ground floor of the Hammonds building would be connected to existing bar and restaurant The Beacon, which opened in December, by the removal of a wall.

The Beacon occupies the site of the former Rosie's Vineyard bar – which closed due to the pandemic last year – but is shut at the moment due to restrictions.

Joe Collis, one of the former owners of Rosie's, said: 'We were shut down in March because of the national lockdown and unfortunately we had to make the decision that we weren't able to keep going because it wasn't viable.

'We wish the new owners all the best. It's a lovely site, hopefully when all this is over they can do something really special with it.'

In a planning statement agents Plan A Planning and Development Ltd, who are working on behalf of applicants The Wine Vaults Portsmouth Ltd, said: 'In this case, the proposed change of use and associated alterations will help to secure the ongoing success of an existing local business andwill have no adverse impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.'

The entrance to The Beacon will be moved to the former Hammonds store as part of the plans.

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And under proposals for 103 Palmerston Road the developers Albion Developments Ltd are looking to open a new restaurant on the ground floor - where Montparnasse used to be, as well as an apartment on the ground and lower ground floor, a flat on the first floor, two flats on the second floor and two offices on the first and second floor.

Montparnasse closed in March when the first national lockdown was announced. The owners have since opened Cafe Fresco at Canoe Lake.

The developers for both sites were contacted for comment.

A decision on the sites will be made at a future planning meeting.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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