The Italian Bakery in Swanage, Dorset has submitted a retrospective planning application for a new look shop front, a year after the work was done.
The shop in Institute Road – in a conservation area – was formerly Hayman’s Bakery but was sold to new owners in 2022 and given a new name.
Building work took place in January 2023
Architecture from the 1920s
Now called The Italian Bakery, it was bought by the same people who own The Italian Kitchen on Wareham Quay and The Italian Bakery in Wareham’s North Street.
Established in Swanage in 1921, Hayman’s Bakery largely survived bomb damage that destroyed the premises next door and opposite, although the 1920s design had to be significantly restored.
The Hayman’s traditional shop front with symmetrical display windows and inset in and out wooden doors, before the recent work started
The new offset grey bifold doors and plastic flowers were installed without planning permission
Rot and structural failure
In the planning documents submitted it says that during refurbishment of the premises by the new owners in January 2022, it was found that the shop front had rot and structural failure.
“During refitting and refurbishment of the unit, significant replacement of the timber floor was required due to rot/structural failure.
“Upon detailed inspection of the shopfront following opening up and exploratory demolition work, it was noted that the timber framework could not be retained without wholesale replacement.
“The stone cladding to the exterior was no longer fixed to a viable substrate, security could not be provided, nor building regulation compliance achieved.”
Before and after plans by Symmetry Architecture
Modern grey aluminium bifold door system
The decision was taken at the time by the owners not to replace the traditional shop front but to put in a new modern grey aluminium bifold door system.
Now the bakery is seeking retrospective planning permission for its actions
“The proposals are for replacement of the shopfront and doors with a new double-glazed, thermally broken powder coated aluminium frame unit. Whilst carrying out the works, all structurally deficient elements were repaired and replaced.
“The floor has been made good, to match existing and the new shop front glazed screen installed on the historic floor edge, at the building façade frontage to the pavement.
“The replacement shopfront retains the central location for double doors, with a central post at the meeting stiles, as existing. To the left (south) of the entrance is a single pane glazing panel, with product display, as per existing.
“To the right (north) of the entrance are three pane folding-sliding-doors with equal sub-division, to allow for replacement of commercial equipment when required, in addition to greater ventilation/access when the shop is at its busiest.
“The lower element of the glazing and doors is an obscure panel, replicating the original/historic solution. The framework is powder-coated in a mid grey, similar to that of the painted render at first/second floor over.”
If planning permission is not granted, The Italian Bakery could be told to restore the shop front to the original design or face legal penalties.
The bakery was hit by a bomb in 1942 during World War Two
Hayman’s was established in Swanage in 1921
Further information
- The planning application (reference P/FUL/2023/06979) is on the Dorset Council website
