Old Shop Could have New Life
Grimmers DIY store in Oakham, which has been empty for over two years, could become a retail couryard with shops and apartments if Reid Assciates can get planning permission. London based Dinacrest Ltd wants to put 6 retail units and two apartments into a devlopment worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Reid Associates are overseeing the project, which could see the listed building opened out into a walkway with a retail courtyard full of new shops. they feel that Rutland's planning team should be
delighted to see an empty shop brought back to brimming life, especially as the Church Street area is now becoming more vibrant.
Apparently, quite a few businesses have expressed interest in the project, and Reid Associates feel that the potential for spending in the area is large, given the proximity of Oakham school traffic. the walkway plans are inspired by how the building looked 50 years ago, and Dinacrest want two new units as shops and two apartments over the first and second floors.
You can find out more about this proposed development in Oakham by visiting www.rutland.gov.uk/planning
What do you think? Should the proposal go ahead, or should the shop be left mouldering away waiting for a tenant? Would another courtyard development be good for the town and is the area indeed 'coming up' now?
