New life is proposed for the empty Isle of Wight Topshop building, in Newport town centre.
Two years after it became vacant, there are plans to turn the top three floors into a hub for learning.
Shop selling items made upstairs
Meanwhile, there could be a shop on the ground floor and part of the first floor.
It is proposed items created by those in education, upstairs in the building, could be sold there.
Empty since 2021
The huge former home of the high street clothing brand, which dominates St James’s Square, fell empty in 2021, when its owners went into administration.
The building was once the base for Wadham and Sons, for nearly 130 years, and became Topshop in 1990.
Restoration plans
In 2022, plans were approved to restore the building front to its former glory — before its 2016 makeover.
A Victorian-style front will mean it will look as it did when it belonged to Wadham and Sons, in line with the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme.
Plans for vaulted ceilings
On the top floor, its owners want to partially open up the roof, creating vaulted ceilings, and potentially installing four roof lights.
The proposal has been submitted by planning agent ERMC, for Wadham Property Partnership.
Inside, minor alterations are proposed, including installing a lift and adding stud walls.
Alternations to benefit local historic character
The existing architectural and historic interest of the property would be unaffected, ERMC says in planning documents.
It says the alterations would benefit the local historic character of the area, by bringing an existing, vacant building back into full use, for local educational needs.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 23/00615/FUL, on the council’s planning register. The public consultation runs until 23rd May.
Article edit
3pm 25th Apr 2023 – St Thomas’s Square corrected to St James’s
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
