to change ground floor retail space to offices at its East Building on Pitt's Bay Road.

Pearman Watlington president William Cox said the company made the application because the area was in the back of the building which "doesn't work for retail''.

Mr. Cox said the change of use request was not a result of any failure to secure retailers.

But the DAB stressed the importance of maintaining "a high level of pedestrian activity through mixed uses on the property'', adding: "Any further loss of retail space on the ground floor should be discouraged.''