Residential Development Opportunity / Café Premises, Lerwick

Very centrally located building for sale with planning permission already in place for conversion to three, good-sized, residential flats.

The property is situated in the Lerwick conversion area a stone’s throw from Commercial Street and all its amenities, the location therefore being ideal for a purchaser looking to create self-catering holiday accommodation.

Planning has been granted for two two bedroom flats, and a third one bedroom flat.

The building has an existing connection to the Lerwick District Heating System.

The building was previously used as café premises and could still used as such, or a change to Class 1A use (shops and financial, professional, and other services) would be permitted.

General information

9 Charlotte Street, a one and a half storey building, is situated in a great, very central Lerwick location a stone’s throw from Commercial Street and all its amenities, the street running between Commercial Street to the east and the Town Hall/Hillhead to the west, the building being situated immediately to the south of the walls of Fort Charlotte in the Lerwick Conservation Area.

Planning permission was granted in 2023 for a change of use to provide three residential flats (Ref: 2023/016/PPF). Full details of the permission and proposed plans can be found on the Council’s website at https://pa.shetland.gov.uk/online-applications quoting the planning reference.

The proposal would create three flats each with its own separate entrance, with floor areas ranging from 43m² to 100m². The largest unit (2) is a two bedroom flat arranged over two floors also including an open plan lounge/kitchen, bathroom, and separate WC. Units 1 & 3 are both on the ground floor, Unit 1 being a two bedroom flat with lounge, kitchen and bathroom. Unit 2 is a one bedroom flat to the rear of the building, with lounge, kitchen, and shower room. A surveyor’s valuation of the proposed value of the three flats in August 2023 was £500,000.

There is also a separate outbuilding, previously a garage, which it is thought could potentially be converted into a laundry/store, ideal for example if the three flats were to be operated as self-catering holiday accommodation.

Central heating is currently provided by the Lerwick District Heating System.

The building was previously used as a café (Class 3) and could still be used for this purpose although the kitchen fittings have since been removed. A change to Class 1A use (shops and financial, professional, and other services) or Class 4 use should be permitted although prospective purchasers considering such a change should satisfy themselves in this regard by contacting the local planning department directly. The property is being sold in its current condition. No warranties will be given in respect of any contents or services.

Planning permission (Ref: 2023/137/TCA) has been granted for to remove a tree to the rear of the property to allow access to one of the proposed flats.

The Rateable Value is currently £9,900 (as a café). Prospective purchasers should however contact Shetland Islands Council directly for confirmation.

Accommodation

The building currently comprises a large café area with main entrance from the street, the space having plenty of natural light thanks to the ‘conservatory’ space to the front and additional light filtering through via a large archway which leads through to a further open café space to the right. At the far end a serving counter opens to the ‘kitchen’ area although most of the fittings have been removed.

At the rear of the building is a separate entrance, toilet facilities, a utility area and store.

A stair off the additional café space leads up to an attic room with access to the large loft space.

External

Boiler room housing the District Heating unit and hot water tank (not tested), outbuilding formerly used as a garage, and paved patio area to the rear. A small porch links No.9 to No.7 although the access to No.7 is now blocked off. The owners of No.7 have a right to park on the area in front of the outbuilding.

Click on map to make it interactive.