The building originates form 1903 with five above ground storeys at the front, built in a mixture of Baroque and Art Noveau architectural styles using red and yellow glazed brick and terracotta mouldings, which are used to embellishing the design. The front became Grade II listed in 1978 when the rest of the building behind it was replaced by a modern reinforced concrete structure. Despite its listed status, the building has a modern shopfront at street level.

The key challenge is the building’s narrow and deep footprint, making it unattractive to potential office occupiers, but also requiring careful planning to convert into apartments, where every bedroom and living room requires a window. The other challenge is the building’s listed status, which only refers to the front elevation, although the intention of the scheme is to retain an preserve this element.

There are several opportunities available to this building, and whilst the narrow floor plates might restrict attraction to potential office occupiers, the centrally located stairs and lift ensure that the plan can conveniently divide into small apartments – one with aspect onto Station Road and the other out through the full-height glazing at the rear. The building is column free and allows for new internal walls to be freely placed without being restricted.

The change of use of the upper floors enables the following opportunities to be realised:

• Efficient reuse of a much under occupied building.

• Provide new rental homes in a sustainable town centre location.

• Enable the restoration of an attractive listed building and retain it for the future.

• Retain a local employer on site, with facilities and accommodation that meet the changing needs and requirements of their business.