Sandbar Withington, Withington

Sandbar Withington: opened 23/5/2025. Libertine history: Opened 12/8/2022 in a Grade II* listed converted former NatWest bank premises by the people behind city centre pubs/restaurants Cottonoplolis, and Edinburgh Castle. Planning application: 129994/LO/2021 | LISTED BUILDING CONSENT for elevational alterations including insertion of access doors, demolition of existing rear extension, formation of enclosed outdoor dining and drinking space together within internal and external decoration works in association with the use of the building as a restaurant / bar. Granted 8/7/2022. Converted 26/5/2023 to burger restaurant (Class E). Closed 17/12/2022, Converted seemingly without planning permission. Council planning enforcement officer informed 29/6/2023. Response from council on 29/6/2023: "The previous use of the property was granted as a mixed bar and restaurant following its conversion from the former Natwest Bank. A planning application and Listed Building Consent were both approved in July 2022 for some external alterations, this ahead of its conversion to Almost Famous, which falls in the same mixed bar and restaurant use". In late Feb 2023 a forfeiture notice appeared in the window, advising that the landlord had taken back possession. The bar owners were citing financial pressures re energy tariffs causing the closure.