Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Elvis to finally leave building as city eyesore set for revamp
Picture in window had made house synonymous with ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’
Elvis looks set to finally leave the building as a house that displayed his image for more than 40 years is given a new lease of life.
The property in Canterbury became somewhat of a local attraction, with the crumpled poster of The King looking down on passers-by from a first-floor bedroom window.
But the council-owned building in St Peter’s Place has since been left to rack and ruin, becoming a target for vandals and unruly youths.
As Canterbury residents continue to ask questions about its future, the local authority has now revealed its plans for the derelict building, which blights the entrance to the city centre.
The site is passed by hundreds of motorists every day, with much of its façade now obscured by black boards.
Westgate councillor Pip Hazelton believes it is “completely unacceptable” for the local authority to allow the former family home to fall into disrepair.
“With the pressure on social housing across the district, we have this asset, and the longer it remains empty, the more money it’ll take to bring it back to a decent standard,” the Labour member said.
“It’s completely unacceptable. It’s a blot on the landscape, which is such a shame. It’s an eyesore and is on the way into the historic centre of the city. It gives a poor impression to tourists.”
The Elvis poster was first put in of one of the house’s bedroom windows by Corinne Mills - then aged 14 - 45 years ago.
The former Archbishop’s School pupil moved into 31A St Peter’s Place after her father, Harry, was given the “tied cottage” when he became the foreman of Westgate Gardens and head gardener for parks across the district.
But she left the house following the death of mum, Dorothy, in 2018, with the now boarded-up building standing eerily empty ever since.
The top-floor window displaying the poster was later covered, prompting a mystery graffiti artist to daub an image of the King on the run-down home.
Chartham resident Edd Withers told the Gazette: “The poster of Elvis is something I remember being there since I first arrived in Canterbury 15 years ago.
“I think most residents would recognise the inspiration for the painting, and it would be interesting if the tradition of having a picture of Elvis there continues.”
Council spokesman Rob Davies says officials have decided the home, which is owned by the authority, will be best used as temporary accommodation for homeless residents.
But he stresses work would likely have a “high cost”, after assessments were carried out on the site in recent months.
“This property, which is owned by the council, is very dated and in need of extensive modernisation and refurbishment,” Mr Davies explained.
“We hope to refurbish the prop
‘It’s completely unacceptable. It’s a blot on the landscape, which is such a shame...’
erty using retrofit principles, where high energy efficiency and low energy consumption are at the heart of the project.
“Survey work will begin in the near future and we will look to develop a full refurbishment proposal.
“In the meantime, we are aware there have been reports of damage and anti-social behaviour on the site and will be taking action to tackle these issues.”
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