2 landmark buildings in the heart of Newport’s conservation area have undergone remarkable transformations.
Major renovations of the former Phones 4U shop at the junction of St James’ Street and the High Street, and the Halifax bank on the opposite corner, have been completed in recent months.
The buildings were identified as priority sites by Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council which funds extra capacity within the Isle of Wight Council’s planning enforcement team to investigate local planning issues.
Originally the Lamb Tavern, 50 High Street fell into disrepair following the collapse of the national mobile phone retailer Phones 4U in September 2014.
A Section 215 notice ordering the owners to restore the prominent Grade II listed building to its former glory was served by the council in 2018, but progress was painfully slow. The pandemic hit and then it was discovered the roof was in need of urgent repairs.
A unique feature of the former tavern dating back to 1871 was its beautiful mosaic tilework and wooden latticework which adorn the ground floor window and door frames.
The council insisted these bespoke features — many of which were either broken beyond repair or missing — be restored to preserve the historic character of the building. With no suitable option available off the shelf, replica tiles were painstakingly hand-crafted, painted and glazed, and secured onto new wooden pillars and surrounds.
Not only that, Fone Corner, a new business, opened its doors, finally bringing this long empty building back into use. Meanwhile, close by, the Halifax emerged from its shroud of scaffolding to reveal a much-improved new look.
The work followed sustained pressure from the council which at 1 point advised enforcement action was likely unless something was done to repair windows and masonry which were in a poor condition. Works to the Grade II listed building were extensive involving sympathetic repairs to the original windows, repairs to the masonry and decoration using breathable paint, and roof repairs with natural slate and new cast iron rainwater goods.
Other buildings in and around the town centre have also been sensitively restored as a result of the successful collaboration between the 2 councils. This includes the O2 shop opposite the Guildhall.
All town, parish and community councils on the Island have the opportunity to top up the ‘core’ service they receive from the planning enforcement team by funding — either individually or collectively — additional extra capacity to address locally identified priorities.
Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for planning, said it was clear the new approach was reaping benefits in the Island’s county town. He said:
“It’s great to see this close collaboration between two councils which is helping to bring vitality back into Newport town centre and enhance the conservation area and the Newport High Street Heritage Action Zone.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and persistence in bringing about these improvements, and of course the owners themselves for all they’ve done to restore these magnificent buildings to their former glory.
“We know there are other buildings in urgent need of repair across the Island and we will continue to work hard to put pressure on owners to take action and, where necessary, use our enforcement powers, to ensure these eyesores are restored and brought back into use.”
Councillor Andrew Garratt, chair of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, said:
“Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council is very pleased that the investment we have made in ‘topping up’ the planning enforcement service has led to an outcome that has transformed these buildings and enhanced our town centre. We are grateful to everyone involved in bringing this about.
“Of course, there is still much to do. But we hope that along with the improvements being made through the Heritage Action Zone, that residents and visitors alike will find that the town centre is an attractive and accessible place to come to and enjoy.”
The building which now houses the Halifax building society used to house the retail outlet of Weeks bakeries on the ground floor and the top floor was a “ball room “.
I remember attending a presentation evening up there, held by the “Isle of Wight Angling Society ” back sometime around the 1960s or 70s
A new tacky shop that sells vapes to the underaged… not really what I’d call a great high street shop!
Maybe you could take out a lease on one of the many other empty shops on the high street if you have such a great idea? You’d only moan if it was empty and deteriorated back to its previous state.
Newport is dead! I never go there. Demolish it and build a motorway!
Yes true, never been the same since Woolworths went.