A former clothes store on an Isle of Wight High Street could be the new home of a local independent games company.
Plans have been submitted by Island-based Stainless Games to transform the old Bonmarche and Internacionale shop in Newport into more office space.
Bonmarche closed in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, with the shop vacant ever since.
Expansion of work space
The games company already works next door in 132 High Street, having moved from Ryde, but is looking to expand into the former shop floor.
The 30-year-old business, which has worked on board and card games as well as PC and online games, already employs 50 people, but is looking to grow to 80 with the new space.
The shop floor needs refurbishing and could be changed into office space with a seating area, a front desk and a meeting room.
High Street Heritage Action Zone
A new shop front will be installed as well as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.
Funding has come from Historic England which works with local businesses to help recover High Streets.
The changes to the shop front would be sympathetic with Newport’s Conservation Area, planning agents ERMC said, installing a traditional shopfront design which would enhance the modest historic architectural detailing that remains.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 23/01669/FUL, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 3rd November.
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
