An application to create flats at the rear and upper floors of the former Rook’s shop in Ramsgate has been submitted to Thanet council.
Property owner Behrooz Ahmadi says the intention is to create 5 one-bedroom flats and 1 two-bedroom flat for the local rental market whilst maintaining retails at street level.
J C Rook & Sons shops closed in March 2022 after the firm went into administration.
The Persian businessman, who lives in Margate, made an investment to bring the Ramsgate and Herne Bay sites back into use.
Behrooz, who formerly worked in Iran where his business had the sole contract for laying the gas pipelines, initially teamed up with Dave Humphries, who was in the paper industry before retiring, to launch Hidden Treasures indoor market last May at the Ramsgate shop. However this closed at the end of September due to Dave’s ill health. It has since reopened but with one trader rather than as a market.
The new application proposes the erection of a two storey rear extension and increase in roof height to provide an additional floor with two dormers to create the six flats. The work would increase the premises by 30%.
In planning documents it says: “This is a sympathetic restoration with much needed ‘start up ‘accommodation.
“The flats are for private rental/ Air B&B market and are suitable for couples with one larger flat on the top floor with an additional bedroom.
“The building is in a very poor state of repair with minimum use above the shop premises due to being previously used as a large butchers with preparation and office space above.”
A decision on the application has not yet been made. It can be viewed on the council’s planning portal, reference F/TH/23/1651
