Student flats proposed above former fancy dress shop

Paper Tiger, which was based at 13-15 Cank Street, closed in January

The floors above former a fancy dress and party shop in Leicester could become student flats.

A developer has applied to Leicester City Council to turn the upper floors of 9-15 Cank Street into homes.

Paper Tiger, which was based at 13-15, shut in January after more than 50 years, with its closure sparking an "outpouring of love".

Applicant JGM (Nottingham) LTD said the upper floors had “remained unused for a number of years”.

Documents seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, state the rear extensions and roofs of the row of shop buildings have become “dilapidated and unusable”.

However, following conversations with the council, the applicant has proposed a mixture of two studio flats and five “houses in multiple occupation” (HMOs).

If the scheme is approved, the HMOs would be made up of two seven-beds, one four-bed and two three-beds.

HMOs are homes where separate households live together, sharing communal areas like kitchens and living rooms.

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The existing “dilapidated roof” would be replaced with one which created “additional residential space” in the upper areas.

The extensions at the rear of number nine would be demolished as well.

The developer said its intention was to also “create a simple ground floor commercial unit” in the space in addition to the flats.

It also proposed to “restore and improve” the facades of the shop fronts which face Cank Street.

Design would be “contemporary” and “respectful to the neighbouring traditional architecture”, the application stated.

A consultation on the plan is under way with residents able to have their say until 18 June.

A target decision date has been set by the city council for 24 June.

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