More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An abandoned town centre shop found last year to be infested with vermin could finally be transformed.
With paint peeling from the outside and multiple sightings of rodents and dead birds inside, Faversham’s old KGN News building in Preston Street has become an eyesore.
But after being sold at auction earlier this year for £177,000, the property could finally be set for a new lease of life – with developer Dale Hardwick the latest to take on the challenging site.
In papers submitted to Swale Borough Council (SBC), Mr Hardwick expressed hopes of turning the upper floors into two two-bedroom flats with a revamped shopfront more in line with the “historical character” of the building.
“We believe the new proposal is respectful and cohesive,” added Mr Hardwick.
Alterations inside the Grade II-listed building include the demolition of a historic stairwell, while the entrance will be moved to make way for access to the flats upstairs.
Planning documents submitted with the proposal say the structure has been put “at risk” thanks to "decades of neglect”.
When the building went up for sale, Swale district councillor Hannah Perkin (Lib Dem) previously told KentOnline: “We are lucky in Faversham to have such a wealth of brilliant businesses in our town.
“No one likes to see empty and neglected shop fronts, especially ones with dead pigeons in.
“Hopefully someone will give it the new lease of life that it deserves and we will soon be welcoming something new to our town centre.”
An SBC inspector uncovered evidence of widespread rodent activity and no running water after a visit in March last year.
But owners told KentOnline that building renovations outside their control were to blame.
By September, bosses closed the shop and opened a Nisa Local convenience store inside the former Soiree bar, also on Preston Street.
The former KGN shop has lain empty since and fallen into disrepair.
Separate plans to convert the 17th-century property into a one-bed and two-bedroom flat were previously approved in 2022, however permission lapsed in February.
