A LANDMARK Frome building – built as a corn merchant in 1920 with parts left largely unchanged ever since – could soon see new life as a shop, offices and a house.

An application has been submitted to Somerset Council to overhaul the former Moore & Toop building, in Christchurch Street West.

The scheme would see the shop front preserved, with office space created to the first floor, and a one-bedroom dwelling built to the west end.

Submitted by Robinson+ Ltd on behalf of T Hamilton, the application said the building was of unusual construction and was built by Mr Moore in 1920.

Rumour suggests the interior of the shop has not been painted since it was built 100 years ago. Pictures: Robinson+/Somerset Council

“The building was apparently built from scavenged materials,” it said. “For instance, the roof tiles were reclaimed from a local builder, the roof trusses were sourced from ex military buildings from Salisbury plains, the steps to the rear rooms from the shop are allegedly from a Bath tram.

“Many of the hoppers and shelving were sourced from local farmers and the main counter from a pub. The store has allegedly not been re-painted since it opened 100 years ago.”

The mixed construction continues to the exterior, the plan says, with red brick used extensively, in contrast to the surrounding limestone of surrounding structures, with “brick quoins [cornerstones] mixed in with rubblestone, concrete block and metal cladding”.

“The overall build quality could reasonably be described as low and the condition currently defective,” the plan went on.

It is believed the counter came from a pub, with steps coming from a Bath tram. Pictures: Robinson+/Somerset Council

“The lack of maintenance likely contributes to the current condition of the building.

“The shop front joinery appears to be of some consideration and quality but the other metal windows, wall and roof coverings are less well executed.

“To this end, the building is not in-keeping to the immediate surrounding, that is predominantly stone and limestone.”

It said a great deal of original fixings appear to remain on the interior, particularly from the time the building was run as a shop, between 1969 and 2023, by Ernest and Mary Clothier.

It was said the couple – Ernest was a Moore and Toop employee before taking the premises on – were allowed to keep the signage as long as they were ‘doing well’.

“If not, the sign had to come down (local reputations and legacy were important),” it went on.

Ernest and Mary Clothier took the shop on when Mr Moore retired in 1969. Pictures: Robinson+/Somerset Council

“Within the interior, the main shopfront retains boarding to the interior, along with some shelving in places,” the planning application continued.

“The thin boarding of the wooden floor is characteristic of the 1920s and is severely rotten in many places, or likely has beetle infestation.”

Due to the “ad hoc and incidental development”, the application describes the building as having “little historic value”, except “some merit may come from the unchanged shop area”.0

If approved, the application would see a “reasonable and appropriate response to the condition of the building and largely retain areas that have some limited historical interest”, it said.

The building is not listed, though the now-owner has chosen not to raise the roof line and to leave many parts of the building in tact, while addressing problems, such as rot.

The dwelling would see the garage area developed, raising the roof line.

Office space would be created to the rear and first floor of the redeveloped building. Picture: Robinson+/Somerset Council

“From the exterior it is largely retained,” the application added. “The form, mass and height it largely retained.

“The shop front character and legibility is retained with relatively subtle alterations that respond and are directly influenced by the immediate context.

“The interior shop space is largely retained and defects addressed.”

For more details – and to comment on the application – log on to www.somerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 2023/2181/FUL.