Peachy Investments have requested listed building consent from North Kesteven District Council to knock down the building between the library and the India Garden due to it becoming unsafe.

The company's agent Anthony Ferrari of Ferrari Dewe told the Standard Peachy Investments originally purchased the property in 1997 with the specific intention of renting it to the JD Wetherspoon organisation, which obtained planning consent to use the premises for a public house.

Mr Ferrari said: "Unfortunately, Wetherspoons changed their mind because of difficulties with the layout of the building. My clients have kept the planning consent for this use current but, despite everybody's best efforts over 10 years, a tenant has not been found.

"Despite security measures and appeals to the local police for surveillance in the area, vandals have continued to break in and ransack the premises.

The building is now unsafe and because of this and the fact that there is no interest from a tenant Peachy have taken the decision to demolish."

Mr Ferrari added: "My clients have no intention of destroying the street scene and will either retain the existing facade, or replicate it when developing the site - depending on advice they receive on the practicalty of retaining the existing facade.

“Peachy also own the adjoining India Garden and Italian Connection premises and it is their plan to replicate the Georgian facade on these buildings as well, so that all the buildings blend in more harmoniously with the surrounding conservation area."

l Would you like to see the former Homemaker store in Market Place demolished or do you feel it should be preserved? Send your views by email to andy.hubbert@jpress.co.uk, or by text to 81800, starting your message with SLEANEWS (full terms and conditions on page 2)