Plans have been submitted to convert the upper floors of a Grade II listed building in Harrogate into flats.
Five-storey Mercer House towers above the adjoining Mercer Art Gallery in the Harrogate Conservation Area on Swan Road.
Colston Trustees Limited have applied to Harrogate Borough Council to change the use of the site from offices to residential and create two flats.
According to planning documents submitted to the council, the office space has been redundant for over a year, which could leave the building susceptible to water ingress.
The ground floor and basement of Mercer House are occupied by Paul Lown-owned clothing store Prey Four and are not included in the plans.
Mercer House is historically and architecturally significant due to its gable-fronted, white and blue appearance.
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The application seeks to insert new doors, rooflights and an enlarged window. A design and access statement submitted as part of the proposal, says:
“Given the minor internal and external changes required to facilitate residential conversion at Mercer House, and the benefit to the long-term care and maintenance of having the upper floors in active use, this less than substantial harm is outweighed.”
It adds:
“The works, on balance, will both preserve and enhance the historic and architectural interests of Mercer House and special character of the Harrogate Conservation Area.”
Cancer patients take to catwalk in Harrogate fundraiser
Cancer patients will take to the catwalk in Harrogate next week for a fundraising fashion show.
Harrogate woman Jean Williams and husband Alan have raised £100,000 for cancer charities since she had breast cancer 25 years ago. Ms Williams even took part in the 2018 New York marathon aged 71 to generate funds.
Now she has teamed up with West Park Hotel to stage the Strutting for Cancer fashion show for the first time since covid in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on November 10.
The event will feature people who have been affected by cancer as well as professional models showcasing new collections from sponsors, including local fashion businesses Sheer Bliss lingerie, Smithers, Prey Four, Georgies and Aurélie, as well as high street retailer Marks & Spencer.
There will also be a charity auction, raffle and live music.
Ms Williams said:
“Having launched our inaugural Strutting for Cancer fashion show six years ago, it has proved to be a hugely popular event with local people as well as raising vital funds for this amazing charity.
“After missing two years due to the pandemic, we are thrilled that the show is returning and would like to thank West Park Hotel for providing such a fantastic venue as well as our generous sponsors for their support.
“Having had cancer twice myself, this is a cause close to my heart and I am excited to see the return of this event which we hope will once again raise thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.”
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Jodie Middleton, events manager at West Park Hotel, said:
“The Strutting for Cancer fashion show has become a much-loved local event on the town’s social calendar, thanks to the efforts of Jean and her team. We are proud to be among the local businesses supporting it and look forward to hosting another fun and successful fundraising evening.”
Tickets cost £25 and can be bought from West Park Hotel, Sheer Bliss, Smithers and Georgies. Call 07557 196233 for more details.
Well known Harrogate clothing retailer moves to new premises
One of Harrogate’s best known clothing retailers, Paul Lown, has just relocated his latest store to Swan Road.
Prey Four opened four years ago on Parliament Street but moved to its new site this week.
The shop sells a range of women’s and men’s clothing and also has an interiors area.
The move was prompted by his previous tenancy coming to an end and Mr Lown admitted he was apprehensive about heading further out of the town centre. But he hoped his committed client base will follow.
He said that after 40 years of trading in Harrogate he has men aged in their 40s coming into his shop who bought clothes off him in their teens.
Inside the shop on Swan Road, across from Fashion House Bistro
Many local residents will remember Mr Lown from his time owning the clothing store Leopard.
Leopard was based in multiple Harrogate units during the 1980s and 1990s, including what is now McDonald’s and the site on which Victoria Shopping Centre now stands.
After leaving Harrogate in the late 1990s for a short period, he returned and went into partnership to open Owl Store in Montpellier. But now he is focused on his own project, Prey Four.
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He said the past 18 months had “been like no-one could have predicted” in his long career and that he could now see the high street changing with more people heading to certain shops rather than to browse.
“People aren’t wandering around aimlessly anymore; you know what you’re getting and from where.
“People need to support the independents if they want them to stick around. Whatever they sell, people need to support them. Covid has really hurt all of us.”
The shop has interior pieces for sale downstairs