Empty shop in Uckfield High Street could be turned into food outlet
.jpg "Empty shop in Uckfield High Street could be turned into food outlet")
Plans have been submitted to an empty shop at 162 High Street, Uckfield, into a food outlet.
Drawings with a planning application show it named as Continental Coffee Shop with six tables, each with four chairs, at the front of the shop and doors opening into a lobby with another set of doors from there into a kitchen and stairs leading to a basement.
The shop, which used to be occupied by the British Heart Foundation before a move to 122 High Street, has been empty since March 2010 but, according to the planning documents, there has been no interest from anyone within its current A1 use. This includes shops, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices, pet shops, sandwich bars, showrooms, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners and funeral directors.
A design and access statement with the planning application says there does seem to be a demand for A3/A5 food outlets. These include restaurants, cafes and takeaways.
The statement says: “A refurbishment as food outlet premises would serve to enhance and rejuvenate this shop unit, contribute to the street scene and also provide employment for people within the local community.”
It goes on to say: “Our clients’ contention is that the proposal is unlikely to have a detrimental impact on the surrounding businesses that come under these use classes and would be of benefit to the community in providing an additional food option.”
A statement of heritage significance says the building dates back to between 1875 and 1909 and is listed in an archaeological survey as of special interest to the historic value of the town.
The plan would be to remove black/blue tiling to the lower part of the shop front and reinstate this part as a brickwork plinth.
“The only other external changes to be made would be the replacement of the glazing which would be little significance due to what is currently in place.”
The planning application was submitted by Kamlax Company, 6 Bolton Close, Bell Lane Industrial Estate, Uckfield, on October 21.
See also:
Second hand book shop at Bridge Cottage, Uckfield, raises £3,500
Manor Primary School receives top award
Uckfield solicitors wear pink to raise funds for breast cancer research
(Added to site Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011)
