Thanks to funding from Historic England and Newark and Sherwood District Council, the frontage of a Newark town centre business has been transformed to what it would have looked like in the 1940s.

Travail Employment Group is a late-Georgian, Grade II listed property that has been much altered over time.

The new frontage, designed by architectural firm Smith & Roper, has seen a hand-painted sign installed and other features to preserve its special architectural and historical interest, improving its appearance on a key gateway to the Market Place at the corner of Bridge Street with Appleton Gate.

The design references the appearance of the building in the 1940s when it was part of the Knight Dickens (Wine & Spirit and Grocers) shop.

Lisa Abel, director at Travail Employment Group, said: “Our Travail office is in a late-Georgian property, but over the years, there have been many changes which unfortunately have not enhanced the frontage in any way, and we are excited to be part of this scheme which will once again allow the original character of the building to shine.

“We have really enjoyed watching the changes and just love the final results.”

Travail Employment Group at 1 Appleton Gate had its planning application approved to replace the frontage with a more historically-sympathetic approach. The shop is located within Newark’s Conservation Area boundary, which was originally designated in 1968 and was reviewed and extended in November 2022.

Work has been enabled thanks to the council securing £275,000 of funding from Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) scheme, which was established to promote the vitality of town centres by protecting, enhancing and celebrating heritage. The project has been funded through this investment with contributions from the council and building owners.

Coun Matthew Spoors, portfolio holder for Sustainable Economic Development at the council, said: “Working with Travails Employment Group to transform the frontage of 1 Appleton Gate has been great and all sides are incredibly enthusiastic.

“I am really pleased to see that work is complete and the front has been altered to reflect its 1940s appearance. The new shopfront looks brilliant and is a wonderful addition to the town.”

Louise Brennan, Historic England Midlands regional director, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Newark and Sherwood District Council to protect and enhance Newark’s heritage.

“High Street Heritage Action Zones are all about repurposing and re-designing the public realm to create more appealing public spaces, and I look forward to seeing how the new frontage at 1 Appleton Gate will compliment Newark’s attractive and historically significant core of medieval and Georgian buildings.”

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