Another fashion shop in King’s Road sounds apt – but who might it be?
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
An abandoned shopfront which once housed a Santander Bank is to be given a new lease of life as a fashion retail store.
It’s not yet clear which fashion retailer will occupy the Grade II listed building along the King’s Road in Chelsea, however the applicant, CEM Kings Road SAGL, has laid out plans to refurbish it.
An application before Kensington and Chelsea council shows plans to install a new doorway and freshen up the front façade at 138 King’s Road. The site was previously occupied by Santander Bank and a Costa coffee bar and was originally a pub called the Markham Arms.
It was built in the 19th century and consists of bow bar windows separated by Corinthian columns and an upper iron balcony. The first and second floors of the building, and their facade, do not form part of the application.
A letter sent by the applicant’s agent, Geoffrey Darling Associates LLP, said the shop’s interior had been altered many times over the years and consists mainly of a large open area.
The letter read: “This open area will be retained but there will be some partitioning installed to provide staff facilities, changing cubicles and toilet. There are no features of architectural merit internally other than two lantern lights which, although a later addition, will be retained and refurbished.”
The letter added: “The existing redundant bank premises are dilapidated both internally and externally and the current corporate features and colour detract from the listed status of the building. This is particularly evident in respect of the classical façade at ground floor level.
“The conversion of these premises into a clothing store will result in the sensitive refurbishment of an existing listed building, return it to retail use and ensure its long term future, particularly in respect of the classical façade which otherwise could be degraded further if neglected.”
A handful of objectors opposed the application over noise concerns relating to an extract duct in the property’s rear and how works might disturb neighbouring properties. The council said noise generated from construction works does not warrant a reason for refusal.
The council said: “The proposals offer welcomed heritage benefits, notably the reinstatement of the doorway in the central part of the bay on the front elevation, with an appropriately detailed door.”
CEM Kings Road SAGL is registered at an address in Lugano, Switzerland. The company owns a building at 128 King’s Road, just a few doors down from the application site, and rents part of the space out to Calzedonia, an Italian fashion retailer selling women’s lingerie and swimwear.
The applicant’s agent was contacted but declined to confirm which fashion retailer will be moving into the shop. KC council will review the planning application on Tuesday.
Pictured top: The shop front at 138 King’s Road (Picture: Google Street View)
