The disused Crispin Shopping Centre in Street, Somerset, is poised for demolition after Christmas to pave the way for a new retirement community. Opened in 1979, the shopping centre has steadily declined, particularly following the closure of the village’s Tesco Metro store.
Churchill Retirement Living won approval in late May—after a public inquiry—to demolish the centre and build a retirement complex featuring 45 extra care apartments and 11 retirement cottages. Aberdare Estates Ltd, the current site owners, have now applied for permission to dismantle the entrance canopy, which, if approved, will clear the way for construction to begin by mid-2026.
This redevelopment is part of Somerset Council’s broader housing strategy, with the Crispin site one of nine locations identified in the revised Mendip Local Plan Part II, adopted last September. Under the plans, the ageing buildings will be replaced by a three-storey L-shaped block of apartments, accompanied by two blocks of cottages to the north and east.
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Access to the new development will be via Leigh Road, including a pedestrian entrance near the library, while the existing pedestrian access from High Street will primarily serve as a service entrance. A communal car park with 21 spaces will be built at the heart of the site, with landscaping separating the new homes from the adjacent Southside council car park on Vestry Road.
Deeley Freed, representatives of the property owners, explained that most of the Crispin Centre is now empty, with only a few units facing High Street still occupied. “With demolition imminent and redevelopment underway, removing the centre’s original signage is necessary,” they said. “This will enhance the local streetscape by eliminating obsolete wayfinding, reducing maintenance issues, minimizing vandalism risks, and removing structures that no longer serve a purpose.”
Situated within the Street conservation area, the site includes a Grade II-listed mural, which will be preserved as part of the redevelopment. Chris Hays from Sycha Development Planning, representing the applicant, emphasized the benefits of removing the entrance canopy: “Its removal will improve the street’s appearance without negatively impacting the heritage asset. The canopy does not contribute positively to the conservation area’s character, which is defined by traditional commercial buildings along High Street and the vibrant shopping activity.”
The council is expected to decide on the demolition proposal early next year. If approved, dismantling the entrance canopy is anticipated to be completed within two weeks, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the site and the wider community.