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Former village shop may be converted into a house
Feb 8, 2010
A FORMER village shop could be given its last rites after an application was submitted to turn it back into a house.
The once-popular dairy in Gainford, near the Cross Keys Pub, provided a village shop and milk delivery service.
However, the store, which was also a chip shop in the 1960s, closed several years ago.
And now the owner, Cliff Evans, has submitted change-of-use plans to Durham County Council.
His agent, Keith McClure, said in a statement: “The last use was as a diary and the building is still known as Gainford Diary, as my client had a milk retail and doorstep delivery business.
“My client has been retired several years and has had the property for sale during this time.”
However, Mr McClure said despite advertising it in the press, shop windows and a website, no sale was achieved.
The building was originally a house before being tuned into retail premises.
He added: “We both feel that this is great opportunity to return the former dwelling back into a dwelling and not having a property standing empty and falling into a poor state of repair.
“We have the chance to create a new dwelling, without the loss of any Greenfield sites or any new-build properties.”
Mr McClure said the new property would be aimed at first-time buyers.
The ground floor would have a lounge, kitchen and toilet.
A large bedroom would be created upstairs.
The county council will decide on the proposal in the coming weeks.