Following the closure of non-food retail units over the last few years new uses have been sought for these buildings to bring then back to life.
At Hedge End a former DIY store has been stripped of its roofing and cladding, split in two and extended to accommodate two new retailers. The remodelling allows the building envelope performance to be increased, whilst locking in the embodied energy of the structural frame and foundations. New shopfront glazing and a canopy enhance the customer experience, and highlight that alternative retail uses have returned to the building. A similar project was completed in 2020 at Tunbridge Wells.
A bio-diverse landscaped setting is formed at the front of the stores, preserving the mature trees on the site and creating a space nature to flourish alongside the shoppers.
