PLANNING permission has been granted to add an additional third floor and new apartment to the King Street building which once housed Topshop.
The site is to be developed by Axis Mason.
The ground floor will remain a retail outlet, according to the planning application, while the proposed third floor will consist entirely of a single two-bedroom flat. There would be two two-bedroom apartments on the first floor and two on the second floor.
The building’s existing façade, which currently sports the Topshop logo, is also to be replaced with an architectural frieze which aims to reflect the building’s history as Jersey’s first telephone exchange. The frieze will be designed by Jersey artist Claire Haithwaite.
Included in the planning application was a Supporting Loss of Retail statement, compiled by property experts Gaudin & Co, in response to objections about the removal of the second floor retail space on the high street.
The statement read: ‘One would mention that a thriving business like Beghin’s on King Street, which has operated since 1842, was forced to close due to lack of business, which once again shows the lack of demand for retail space. This is extremely sad but reflects modern society and shopping patterns.’
It adds that it would be reasonable to restrict the retail space to one floor, citing the ‘lack of demand for one floor, never mind two’.
Plans to convert the former Topshop site on King Street into five two-bedroom flats have been approved.
