New lease of life for Newtown building

Parkers House in Shortbridge Street, Newtown, has undergone a substantial investment to transform it into an eight bedroom bed and breakfast.

The upper floors have been transformed to the bedrooms, and an existing cafe on the ground floor has been refurbished by owners Tina and Mike Lovatt.

The building design work was undertaken by Hughes Architects, who helped bring back some of the building’s original features as part of the scheme. All building work, fixtures, fittings and furniture have been sourced through local tradespeople and businesses.

Mrs Lovatt said: “Newtown and the Severn Valley area has so much to offer and with the completion of the town bypass later this year there is an opportunity to promote the benefits of the area, which visitors will discover.

“The upper floors of the property had been in a state of disrepair for over 25 years and we wanted to bring them back to life.

"Working with Adam Watkins at Hughes Architects, we have managed to extend the building, creating a new breakfast room on the ground floor and eight good quality bedrooms on the upper floors.”

The property dates back to the 19th century when it was first used as a haberdashery known as London House.

In the 1960s it became part of the famous National Milk Bar café chain until it was turned into Lloyd's and later Parkers. It was then bought by the present owners in 2013 and transformed into an eatery.

Mrs Lovatt added: "Our intention had always been to refurbish the whole property and introduce a bed and breakfast.

"It’s a significant investment in the town centre and one which will see us attracting visitors into the town, as well business users.

“Parkers House is a key building in the town centre and we believe its transformation will help attract more investment into the town centre.”