Chipping Norton The Branch

Chipping Norton High Street is set to receive substantial redevelopment investment in the next few years. A boutique hotel on the site of the old HSBC Bank building is currently in Planning and two doors down we have been appointed to carry out the feasibility work for a new community centre by St Mary’s Church. The Church has acquired the old NatWest Building on Market Street and has ambitious plans to redevelop and extend the building into a space that will serve the community.

As with all historical buildings, understanding the original structure and how it has evolved over the years is the starting point for any feasibility work. The Grade 2 listed NatWest Building in its current state, is a labyrinth of small spaces, corridors, extensions and different levels with a partially sunken safe room for good measure!

Having completed the initial visual survey, we are now awaiting the building’s original plans which we have been in contact with RBS Archives about. We are also scheduling some opening up works. Understanding how historical spaces and levels can be rationalised to provide efficient modern spaces is essential in advising St Mary’s on the feasibility of their vision for the building, designed by Acanthus Clews Architects.

We are excited to be part of the team who will be developing this building into a centre of community service!

Visualisation by Acanthus Clews Architects