'We like plan for Wellingborough town centre'
Residents have welcomed plans to refurbish a Grade II listed town centre building to be used as either shops, cafes or offices.
The building – 28 Church Street – is opposite Tresham Institute and was once used as a fire station for horse-drawn fire engines.
Wellingborough Council said the work to refurbish the building will build upon the local authority's plan for that area to become a new urban quarter in the future.
A council spokesman said: "The development proposes to be distinctive, vibrant, desirable and safe and the council is proud to be supporting the project as part of its mission to promote high quality growth in the town.
"The restoration will ensure the building's heritage is preserved, while bringing it into the modern day, for potential use as office space, caf outlets or retail shops, depending on future planning proposals."
Architects S Porobic Associates have designed the scheme for the building and Colonial Construction will carry out the work over the next 12 months
A spokesman for Porobic Associates said: "The idea was to use remodelling as a catalyst to reintegrate the All Hallows Church with the rest of the urban fabric of Wellingborough.
"This is being achieved by using a subtle glass addition to act as a viewing gallery, the addition of an open deck area and lowering of the church yard wall with appropriate landscaping to open up the stunning views over the church yard towards the church."
Michael Pentelow, of Longfellow Road, Wellingborough, has lived in the town for 71 years.
He said: "Anything to improve the place is good. That building has been there for a long time.
"All there is in this part of town is the college and the bus stops so having something to bring people into this area is a good idea."
And town resident Joseph Byrne said: "Those buildings are part of Wellingborough and it's a lovely part of Wellingborough, so they should be refurbished."
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
