Demolished shop could make way for new public space in Rushden

The site had been described as 'something of an eyesore on the High Street'
The former Sassy Belle shop before it was demolishedThe former Sassy Belle shop before it was demolished
The former Sassy Belle shop before it was demolished

A vacant shop has been demolished to make way for a new public space in Rushden town centre.

103, High Street used to be the home of Seabrooks fruit and veg shop and more recently women's fashion store Sassy Belle.

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However, the building which has stood empty for a number of years, has now been demolished as part of 'wider improvement plans' for the town centre.

A heritage impact assessment carried out as part of the application for demolition said: "Building is vacant and has fallen into disrepair.

"No significant architectural features and something of an eyesore on the High Street.

"Demolition allows access to the land to the rear and the potential to create an amenity space for the public."

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A report prepared for councillors ahead of its demolition being approved last year said: "Although the proposed development would result in the loss of a retail unit, the unit appears to have been vacant since around 2011 and is in a poor state of repair.

"As a result its loss would not result in harm to the vitality and viability of the area.

"The fact that the site would provide open amenity space would actually enhance the vitality and viability and in this instance this loss is therefore considered to be acceptable."

A spokesman for East Northants Council told the Northants Telegraph: "The demolition of 103 High Street, Rushden is the first step of an initiative, that will be developed over the coming years, to put in place a landscaped public space as a link between the High Street and Eaton Walk as the focus for wider improvement plans for the town centre.

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"This work will be for the new North Northamptonshire Council to deliver alongside future considerations regarding its assets."

The site of the demolished shop is next to what used to be The Feathers pub before it became the Fate club.

Plans were recently approved to turn the building, which was badly damaged by fire in 2018 and has been enclosed by scaffolding and covers screening the site since then, into a restaurant and bar with eight self-contained flats.

To read more about the plans, click here.

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