Manchester rubber-stamps church conversion
Trinity United Church, off Cheetham Hill Road, will become a furniture showroom after proposals were signed off by planning officers.
The church, at 2 Greenhill Road, has been disused since around 2012. It is not listed, but is adjacent to a listed building, formerly used as a snooker hall.
As set out in the design & access statement, internal alterations had previously been made to the building, including the addition of a timber partition, splitting the church hall into two separate areas.
According to the plans lodged by Saleem Architects on behalf of Muhammad Aziz, the conversion project will see the introduction of a mezzanine floor, giving the incoming use a floorspace of 4,734 sq ft.
A parition will be removed. Credit: planning documents
The partition would be removed, returning some spectacle to the space, which would be accessed from the belltower. The stairs are also in line for repair.
As set out in the officer report, the plan is that the space would only be used to showcase furniture and fittings. Customers would place orders at the site, with order fulfilment being carried out from a separate warehouse elsewhere in Manchester.
The mezzanine floor would increase the amount of floorspace by around 1,205 sq ft. There is no requirement for any external plant or other alterations to be introduced to the building.
Scheme documents can be viewed on Manchester City Council’s planning portal with the reference 144690/FO/2025.
What a shame people are losing their faith
By Anonymous
I’ve always had faith in furniture! Great to see it being used again.
By Anonymous
I like churches, but I am not religious, so it’s good to see it carry on with a new life
By Ermm
Church was in active use much more recently than 2012, particularly for community projects. Good to see the building retained, but the idea parking’s sufficient is laughable given the number of cars and lorries that already ignore double yellows, or just park in the road and bring traffic to a halt while they pop into the shop.
There would have been space for parking but the former community garden has already been hived off so the cash and carry has somewhere to put their bins.
By Anonymous
Left empty for 14yrs with so many families needing affordable housing, a showroom but furniture built elsewhere, really!?
By Anonymous
I guess it is good it won’t be derelict but this is a low bar. IMO very sad that this country is losing its churches, their communities and faith
By G
Well, I think it;’s a great idea.
By GOD
I think this is a great idea to bring something into the community rather than leaving premises empty (can cause infestation etc).
Does this mean that there will be parking available? As that is not clear!
As that would be great – especially for a a furniture showroom!!!
By Anonymous