A shop in Newport that has been sitting empty for the past 2 years could be returned to its former glory.
The former Wadhams store in St James’s Square, which became Topshop over 30 years ago, has been empty since Topshop went into administration.
The property has now been sold and work has caught the eye of many Islanders who have visited the county town.
Plans have now been submitted to restore its Victorian facade, as close as can be, to the state it was in when Wadhams owned it. The shop was open from 1869 but closed after almost 130 years of trading in 1990 when Topshop bought the building.
It is thought the building, which used to be in the shape of an ‘L’ and emerged onto Newport High Street (where Trespass now is), dates back to at least 1714 when it was an inn.
The original shopfront was removed by Topshop when its owners carried out significant building work, according to planning agents ERMC, who said its current frontage is of poor architectural quality. The building is not listed but is in the Newport Conservation Area and the proposed work would benefit the local historic character, ERMC said.
The work, if approved, would entail the removal and replacement of the external sign, new doors, added cornice mouldings and removal of the modern additions dating back to the early 2000s.
There are no further details in the planning documents to suggest what the shop may be, its opening hours or employment type. It appears the owners are keeping it a well-guarded secret.
You can view the plans, 22/01839/FUL, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 18th November.
This is what this country is missing, the value of frontal shop façade, they are all starting to look the same. Hope they do a good job and I am sure it will draw people in more than the “modernised” frontages in Newport. A step back in time I am sure will lift many a persons memories and perhaps budding architects will think twice before dramatically creating a new build.
wonderful! do it up..itll look great against rest of our crumbling shit hole we call newport town centre. the fact the present owners are keeping quiet but want brownie points too slap up the front thinking itll apease locals…nah! who knows whats going too be revealed…dodgy dealings with our brown envelope wallies