Ex-Booths HQ could become luxury flats

Plans have been lodged to convert the former Booths offices in the heart of Preston into 15 luxury flats.
Photo: KEVIN McGUINNESS.
Preston Buildings.
Waterstones, Fishergate, formerly Booths SupermarketPhoto: KEVIN McGUINNESS.
Preston Buildings.
Waterstones, Fishergate, formerly Booths Supermarket
Photo: KEVIN McGUINNESS. Preston Buildings. Waterstones, Fishergate, formerly Booths Supermarket

An application has been lodged with Preston Council for the premises at 3-5 Fishergate.

The application relates to the offices above the present Waterstones book shop, once the site of a Booths supermarket and headquarters.

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The applicant is TSS Property Limited care of Graham Anthony Associates of Garstang. The building is Grade II listed and located within the Winckley Square Conservation Area. But the applicants say the work will enhance the area and be done sympathetically.

Documents submitted to support the application state: “This application seeks to renovate derelict storage space on the second and attic floors above Waterstones Book Shop to create 11 high quality apartments with a further four residential units contained within the rear former office space of the building.

“In addition to the internal works the applicants are also seeking to provide some much need general improvements to the existing building.

“The change of use works will provide a number of high quality apartments that will supplement Preston City Council’s housing stock”

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The document adds: “GA Associates consider that this proposal is necessary to safeguard the building’s future, preventing the structure from suffering further issues relating to its current level of dilapidation. Furthermore, the applicants have sought to ensure that the conversion is completed to a high design standard ensuring that the building’s historical significance can be preserved.”

The Fishergate site was occupied by EH Booth & Co in 1867 when they relocated from their original premises at the Market Place. It became one of Preston’s most prestigious grocery stores, and closed in the 1980s. Booths’ new HQ is now located at Longridge Road at the edge of Preston.

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