The future of an Isle of Wight High Street shoe shop has been unveiled, more than a year after it closed.
Shoe Zone in Ryde shut in March 2022 and has remained vacant ever since.
Permission had already been granted to turn the upper floors of the building, which were used for storage, into two flats.
Retail and living space
Now, plans for the ground floor and shop have been revealed, with hopes to keep a smaller shop there.
The remaining space could be used as a two-bedroom flat, complete with a shower room and an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area. To provide light, windows and skylights could be added.
Vacant, under-utilised and unappealing
The proposals have been submitted to the Isle of Wight council by Mr Hicks of Havant.
Planning agents, BBD Architects, on behalf of Mr Hicks, say the ground floor unit is vacant, under-utilised and unappealing to new retail tenants, due to its size — “which is large and therefore unaffordable.”
Design better adapted to today’s market
The proposal, the agent says, will create a smaller, more affordable retail space, better adapted to today’s market.
A small staff room and toilet are proposed in the plans for the unit.
The change would contribute to Ryde’s growth, while also providing ‘much needed residential accommodation’.
All the existing single-glazed windows in the building could also be replaced.
View the plans
View the plans, 23/00997/FUL, on the Isle of Wight council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 14th July.
Meanwhile, closing down signs have been put in the windows of Shoe Zone branches in Shanklin and Newport.
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
Image: © BBD Architects Ltd
