Student flats proposed above historic music shop

Plans have been unveiled to demolish a much-loved music shop.

In its place, there would be a brand new building fit with a store, workshop and gig spaces and 175 student flats above it, all spread across nine floors.

A planning application has been submitted which sees the Mickleburgh’s, one of the South West’s largest and best-known music retailers transformed.

The independent, family-run business opened on Stokes Croft in 1903 and currently sells musical instruments, accessories and electronic equipment.

The new vision for the post-war, six-level building opposite Happytat sees it knocked down and replaced by a nine-storey building fit with a retail space connected to street, music practice rooms and a small-scale live music space.

Above the new Mickelburgh’s, which would sit from the basement to mezzanine level, there could be 175 studio apartments built, spread across eight floors, with study spaces; lounge, eating and gaming areas; and a rooftop terrace.

Westworks said it has “experimented with different design options including use of set-backs and variations in brick tone to produce a landmark building that successfully establishes the site as a key placemaking node on Stokes Croft” – image: Westworks

“The tired site which provides no quality urban realm and no longer functions as needed 062 for its owners, Mickleburgh. Currently the building contributes little architecturally to this part of the city,” architect ECE Westworks wrote in a document laying out the plans.

They added: “Mickleburgh Limited have occupied this site since 1903, with the current premises evolving over many years.

“The current building requires a lot of investment to bring it up to a modern standard.

“This is impossible to justify as the fundamental underlying nature of the building, which is currently spread over six different internal floor levels, is not well suited to the storage and retailing of pianos.

“Ancillary to this, the Mickleburgh business is in a unique position to develop and operate a live music venue which is intended to be housed in the basement and operated ancillary to the main business.

“This will be a small music hall venue, with separate public access available out of shop hours in addition to the retail entrance.”

Mickelburgh’s opened as a piano shop over a century ago before it was bombed in the war and rebuilt, reopening in 1957 – photo: Betty Woolerton

Some concern has been raised over the height and scale of the development.

In Bristol City Council’s planning portal, one resident said the building would “overshadow existing buildings and take light from residential properties which face it” and “have a detrimental impact on the area’s historic and cultural significance”.

When the proposal was consulted on in December, Bristol Civic Society also expressed reservations relating to the height and mass of the proposal and raised the fact that the site is within a conservation area and close to residential properties, like across King Square Avenue.

But the society added: “In addition to enabling Mickleburgh’s to operate much more efficiently and remain in Stokes Croft, the proposal would enhance the appearance of Stokes Croft particularly looking north.”

Main photo: Betty Woolerton

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