Projects : Retail

Eaden Lilley, Cambridge

Until recently, Eaden Lilley have had a presence on this site since the seventeenth century and the quality of the design pronounced their commitment to serving local shoppers, projecting well into the twenty first century.

Eaden Lilley sold part of their property to WH Smith. This sale provided the necessary funding to allow the remaining store to be modernised. The programme of work comprised major internal demolition and new build with refurbishment of the property at the rear of the store facing Green Street. The design team had to work within tight constraints working closely and quickly with the Local Planning Authority, Building Control and Statutory Authorities.

As a central area building in a conservation area great care had to be taken; for example, all material removed from the site had to be taken through a 3'-0' wide doorway whilst the store remained open! As with schemes of this type the final solution takes on a seamless appearence, however, the new main entrance in Market Street had to provide the necessary presence of a major store whilst occupying a small area of street frontage.

This was achieved by designing a double height glass and stone facade which has recently been awarded the David Urwin Award for Craftsmanship and Design.