North Lowestoft: Reviving the Streetscape

Restoring 59-59A High Street, North Lowestoft

One of the clearest examples of how this has been achieved is the Grade II listed former chemist shop on 59-59A High Street. Built in 1851, this is a rare example of a purpose-built mid-Victorian chemist shop and house, which remained a chemist shop for 161 years.

The shop has been lovingly restored with HAZ funding and is now a thriving hardware store, which retains much of the original shop interior and an original Italianate shopfront.

The building owners, April and Andrew Beale, wanted to reopen the shop and once again provide a resource for the local community. They learned about the HAZ through consultation events organised by East Suffolk Council and a community group they were members of.

The HAZ provided a catalyst and support for April and Andrew to reopen the shop as a hardware and vintage store. Learning about the history of the building and local area informed their approach to the restoration during which they brought back to life the store’s original fittings and Italianate shop front.

As part of the HAZ project, Historic England and East Suffolk Council completed a research and investigation report and a paint analysis report. The research included original documents found by the owners and gave a clear insight into the history of the building. Very few commercial premises of this age have survived and retained their original shop front, making its survival through the decades remarkable.

Thanks to the North Lowestoft HAZ partnership, and the dedication of April and Andrew, the reopened shop is now a destination venue, providing traditional hardware and vintage products in a unique setting, increasing economic activity on the high street.