Abandoned UK city centre branded a ‘grot spot' where empty department store left to rot is set for £200,000 makeover
The decision has been met by mixed reactions from locals
NEW SLATE Abandoned UK city centre branded a 'grot spot' where empty department store left to rot is set for £200,000 makeover
A HIGH street 'grot spot' is set to undergo a £200,000 transformation in the hopes of reviving the area.
The street has been tarnished by an abandoned department store and is in desperate need of rejuvenation.
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Canterbury City Council approved the plans earlier this week
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St Mary Bredman Square in Canterbury will be revamped in £200,000 project
A £200,000 revamp project is set to restore a Canterbury high street to its former glory.
St Mary Bredman Square, Kent, which contains a Grade-II listed war memorial, has been approved for development.
Plans were approved this week following their submission in March.
Canturbery City Council plan to use some of the £22 million they received from the previous government's Levelling Up scheme.
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The proposals include new steps and seating, improved flowerbeds and a new mural.
The planning officer wrote: "The proposal preserves the special interest pf the Grade-II listed memorials and is acceptable."
They added: "In conclusion, the works proposed are acceptable and preserve the historic and architectural significance of the war memorials."
The memorial commemorates Royal East Kent Yeomanry soldiers who died in the Boer and First World War, in addition to a memorial for animals that died during the conflict.
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Comments from locals seemed less enthusiastic about the development.
One wrote: "Save the money. It's such a small space."
While another added: "Need a bit more than £200k to sort this!"
Huddersfield Station Closure: £70 Million Revamp Set to Transform Travel
Yet others felt that the £200k cost seemed unreasonable given how little work the square needs.
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One Facebook user commented: "I'm sorry, but I can't believe it's going to take £200k to pretty it up slightly, add a few steps and do next to nothing with the department store building around it that's been empty for years.
"Surely you could do this for a fraction of the money?"
Others said that the square itself isn't the problem - it's the derelict buildings surrounding it that have left it feeling uninviting.
Some locals suggested that the community should come together to clean up the area.
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Stewart Ross, chairman of Canterbury Commemoration Society has said that the war memorial should be moved alongside other memorials in Dane John Gardens.
Stewart told the BBC: "Certainly, [the refurbishment] needs to be done because it's a pretty crucial area in the history of Canterbury.
"It could be quite attractive and we'd support any work being done to improve it.
"It needs a bit of artwork there rather than that out-of-place memorial statue."
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The abandoned department store - a former Nasons - is also Grade II listed.
It comes as towns across the country have tried to revive their high streets following a decline in footfall since Covid.
High streets have been left with empty stores and dilapidated shop fronts as councils try to revive the struggling areas.
Croydon recently promised a £5 billion revamp complete with a new shopping centre and train station.
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While Oxford Council has become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress on a redevelopment project in Cowley.
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Abandoned UK city centre branded a ‘grot spot' where empty department store left to rot is set for £200,000 makeover
The decision has been met by mixed reactions from locals NEW SLATE Abandoned UK city centre branded a 'grot spot' where empty department store left to rot is set for £200,000 makeover A HIGH street 'grot spot' is set to undergo a £200,000 transformation in the hopes of reviving the area. The street has been tarnished by an abandoned department store and is in desperate need of rejuvenation. Advertisement 2 Canterbury City Council approved the plans earlier this week 2 St Mary Bredman Square in Canterbury will be revamped in £200,000 project A £200,000 revamp project is set to restore a Canterbury high street to its former glory. St Mary Bredman Square, Kent, which contains a Grade-II listed war memorial, has been approved for development. Plans were approved this week following their submission in March. Canturbery City Council plan to use some of the £22 million they received from the previous government's Levelling Up scheme. Advertisement Read more News URGENT SEARCH Girl falls into huge UK dam as cops launch desperate underwater search The proposals include new steps and seating, improved flowerbeds and a new mural. The planning officer wrote: "The proposal preserves the special interest pf the Grade-II listed memorials and is acceptable." They added: "In conclusion, the works proposed are acceptable and preserve the historic and architectural significance of the war memorials." The memorial commemorates Royal East Kent Yeomanry soldiers who died in the Boer and First World War, in addition to a memorial for animals that died during the conflict. Advertisement Comments from locals seemed less enthusiastic about the development. One wrote: "Save the money. It's such a small space." While another added: "Need a bit more than £200k to sort this!" Huddersfield Station Closure: £70 Million Revamp Set to Transform Travel Yet others felt that the £200k cost seemed unreasonable given how little work the square needs. Advertisement One Facebook user commented: "I'm sorry, but I can't believe it's going to take £200k to pretty it up slightly, add a few steps and do next to nothing with the department store building around it that's been empty for years. "Surely you could do this for a fraction of the money?" Others said that the square itself isn't the problem - it's the derelict buildings surrounding it that have left it feeling uninviting. Some locals suggested that the community should come together to clean up the area. Advertisement Stewart Ross, chairman of Canterbury Commemoration Society has said that the war memorial should be moved alongside other memorials in Dane John Gardens. Stewart told the BBC: "Certainly, [the refurbishment] needs to be done because it's a pretty crucial area in the history of Canterbury. "It could be quite attractive and we'd support any work being done to improve it. "It needs a bit of artwork there rather than that out-of-place memorial statue." Advertisement The abandoned department store - a former Nasons - is also Grade II listed. It comes as towns across the country have tried to revive their high streets following a decline in footfall since Covid. High streets have been left with empty stores and dilapidated shop fronts as councils try to revive the struggling areas. Croydon recently promised a £5 billion revamp complete with a new shopping centre and train station. Advertisement While Oxford Council has become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress on a redevelopment project in Cowley.
