Faithful converts
The transformation of former factories, churches and offices is changing the housing landscape,
Rapidly changing lifestyles are affecting our High Streets dramatically. it’s bad news for business but might it be good news for homeowners?
Could those redundant shops and offices become happy homes?
When it comes to conversions, no building is out of bounds. The Church of Eng - land calculates about 20 of its churches are sold off each year — most become homes; since 2010 more than 450 libraries have closed across Britain; 2,900 bank branches have shut in the past three years; and Network Rail intends to sell off 4,455 arches.
There are opportunities galore for those with imagination.
in Margate, K ent, the promenade loos are for sale with proposals to build a three bedroom, two bathroom home. it’s priced at £290,000 ( struttandparker.com) — before demolition or conversion costs.
also in Kent, Canterbury has seen sub - stantial change with plenty of buildings becoming redundant and ripe for conversion. Boots the chemist in the centre has partially become flats, while a former tannery and theatre have been transformed.
‘We’re handling a former hall, old shops, former barracks, old churches, old cine - mas,’ says Edward Church of Strutt & parker. ‘Turning offices into swanky flats is a big draw for a growing town looking for flexible housing solutions.’
While almost any building can be con - verted, there are practical constraints. Some old stores have to be gutted as their ceilings need space for air condi - tioning, improved fire prevention features and more wiring.
planners usually insist banks have their security devices and vaults removed, which can be costly.
‘Converting older buildings like schools and hospitals (which may be listed) has a high build cost,’ says Jonathan lambert of Savills.
But office blocks work a treat. House builders have been given ‘ permitted development Rights’ to turn them into homes without needing detailed plan - ning. as a result, between 2015 and the end of last year 30,575 homes in England were created from redundant offices.
One of the biggest locations for these conversions is Bristol, where a million square feet of offices have become student pods, rental apartments and even hotel rooms.
The developer Urban Splash — which converted the Fort dunlop tyre factory in the West Midlands and old silk mills in Bradford into homes — has now outlined plans to convert plymouth ’s 14- storey Civic Centre into 144 apartments above bars, restaurants and cafes.
CONVERSIONS are important, not just to provide new homes. Boarded-up premises attract graffiti and bring down the value of homes near by,’ says Robert adley, a Home Counties buying agent.
For individuals seizing the chance to convert, there are advantages. y ou can reclaim some VAT from the work (see the VAT refunds section at gov.uk) and estate agents say good- quality conversions of more unusual buildings with a local history often sell for a premium.
On a larger scale, some of Britain ’s biggest conversions will begin in london in the next few years following this month’s announcement that Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield markets are to be consolidated under one roof, freeing up the historic buildings for homes.
WE’D All like a Nigella-style pantry — shelves groaning with jars filled with chocolate buttons and condiments for all occasions.
And we would have no complaints about having a kitchen like hers, too. one with enough space for an entire film crew to work in comfort.
But the reality for most of us is quite different. So how can we make sure our kitchens both make a statement and work hard? Here, top chefs, restaurateurs, wine experts and home cooks share top tips that could make all the difference to your favourite room...
SPLASH OF COLOUR
‘I HAD planned a neutral colour scheme with grey metro tiles. But when I saw these faded sea-green ones I had to have them,’ says food writer Felicity Cloake. ‘I realised I was looking for a choice to “sell” the kitchen to a future buyer, rather than thinking about what would make me happy. ‘once they were in place, even my sceptical builders admitted the tiles work.’ Shibori green tile, 89p, toppstiles.co.uk. The A-Z of Eating by Felicity Cloake is published by Fig Tree at £25.
FINE FOR WINE
‘UNDER-THE- COUNTER wine fridges mean you can store wine safely, and always have it at the right temperature,’ says wine writer Victoria Moore.
‘My liebherr is slotted into what would otherwise be an awkward corner of my kitchen island. And since we are all saving space in our kitchens, the best corkscrew is the one that takes up the least room — the Waiter’s Friend style.
‘Just make sure you get a double-lever, or you’ l l be ramming the bottle between your knees when you need a drink,’ says Moore. Liebherr WKb 1812 Vinothek Single Temperature Wine Cabinet, £1,099, tanglewoodwine.co.uk. Wineware Waiter’s Friend Double Lever Corkscrew, £15.25, wineware.co.uk.
QUALITY GADGETS
‘I LIKE to apply the same philosophy in my kitchen that I do when buying shoes and handbags,’ says Australian cook Donna Hay.
‘Spoil yourself a little. Investing in quality items, such as an amazing knife, a good-quality mixer or the best oven you can afford, can really make a difference. KitchenAid Artisan 4.8 litre food mixer, from £399, ecookshop.co.uk. Modern Baking by Donna Hay is out in October, HarperCollins £30.
KEEP HERBS HANDY
‘ IF you keep herbs in your garden, always remove the blossoms when they come out,’ says Nelson Candeias, executive chef at Fo u r Seasons Fairways, Quinta do lago, Portugal. ‘ That way the plants will keep growing and bear lovely juicy leaves.’ Sarah Raven’s Deadhead Snippers, £5.50, sarahraven.com.
FOLLOW THE RULES
‘ IF you have to buy yourself one thing, make it a flexible magnetic ruler,’ says author Henrietta Clancy.
‘keep it to hand on your cooker hood or fridge door. The advantage of a flexible ruler is that it’ll wrap around a baking dish, or the circumference of foods, to measure them correctly.’ Set of five double-ended magnetic measuring spoons, £12.99, lakeland.co.uk. Just Soup by Henrietta Clancy, Short Books £12.99.
SUPER STATIONERY
‘All chefs need masking tape and a Sharpie pen to hand,’ says chef Claire Thomson.
‘The very best way to organise your storecupboard is with a masking tape label saying what everything is and when it was made.
‘It’s a chef habit I’ve found hard to kick, for good reason.’ MT masking tape comes in an array of colours, including in green and white £2.95, a 10-metre roll, mtmaskingtape.co.uk. The Art of the Larder by Claire Thomson is published by Quadrille at £25.
STYLISH STORAGE
‘ FILLING your kitchen with butchers’ hooks gives an authentic feel, while giving easy access to utensils, pots, pans and woks,’ says the Australian Masterchef Bonny Porter. Try the Broughton vintage-style rail with sliding meat hooks, £21, bowleyandjackson.co.uk.