Candy World, 14 Abbey Church Yard, City Centre

14 Abbey Church Yard is a Grade I early 18th century terraced townhouse, situated within the commercial core of the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. It forms part of the enclosed yard setting of the Grade I Abbey, and the Scheduled Monument of the Roman Baths and the site of the original Roman town. It contributes towards the townscape setting and cumulative group value of a high concentration of Grade II and Grade II* terraced buildings at Abbey Church Yard. 14 Abbey Church Yard forms a grand intervention within its terraced setting with frieze and Ionic column detailing across the first and second floors, capped with a modillion cornice below the sill level of the third floor. The shopfront at ground floor is indicated to be Regency in design and likely attributable to the early 19th century, and therefore is attributed further significance in its contribution to Bath’s traditional shopfront and commercial character in the city centre.

The commercial shopfront character and appearance of the core of the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site is characterised by its retained vernacular appearance, use of traditional materials and construction methods, and bespoke design approach. Consequently, shop frontages are expected to adhere to planning guidance regarding the appropriate use of materials, colours, and a lack of illuminated signage, in keeping with the wider historic character of the city conservation area and World Heritage Site.

We note that the shopfront as existing has been subject to unauthorised works, with the addition of what appears to be an acrylic fascia signage board over the original timber fascia and application of vinyls to the shopfront windows. We maintain that we do not support unauthorised works to listed buildings, and appropriate listed building consent should be secured before works commence.

We are therefore supportive of the proposed alterations to the shopfront to address the previous, harmful works. The repainting of the shopfront in a neutral tone and a matte finish is considered acceptable. The hand-painted lettering to the timber fascia would be in-keeping with Bath’s traditional shopfront and commercial character. We additionally welcome the removal of the internal window vinyls which had resulted in the visual cluttering of the historic, multi-pane shop windows; the removal of vinyls and a simpler treatment of the windows is strongly encouraged to avoid a jarring contrast with the windows’ fine historic detailing.