Built in the early to mid 19th century and originally owned by Starkey Knight and Ford, these premises were last used as a brewery and bonded warehouse prior to the Second World War . Taken over by Whitbreads in the early 1960s, they were disused for most of the next twenty years.
The Trust was approached in 1982 by Torbay Borough Council regarding the possibility of undertaking the restoration of a group of cottages associated with the former brewery and located in the centre of a proposed redevelopment to be carried out by the Borough as the first stage of more extensive rehabilitation of the historic heart of Paignton. This suggestion was considered by the Trust to be beyond its financial resources at that time. Nevertheless, the Trust welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the borough in that part of the County. It suggested that the block of buildings on the perimeter of the development area which included the malt loft offered an opportunity for conversion to commercial premises on the ground floor with residential accommodation over at a cost that lay within its means and, on the basis of the successful scheme at Ottery St. Mary, one that was more likely to yield a profit.
Terms were agreed with the Borough Council for the transfer of the property at historic cost and for the proportionate disposal of any net profit on completion. Following receipt of competitive tenders, the contract to convert the building to a ground floor shop/workshop with a separate 3-bedroom flat over, began on 5th June, 1982, and was completed early in 1983. The buildings quickly found a buyer.
This conversion and restoration was among the first of the improvements which the Borough Council had completed in this part of Paignton in recent years and was of particular importance in maintaining older traditions within a redevelopment area. The much needed paving, planting, repair and refurbishment of the footpaths, stone steps and open space close to the Brewery, as well as the repair of the ancient “clink”, have consolidated the earlier work of the Trust and helped considerably to improve this area of the town.
The Trust was approached in 1982 by Torbay Borough Council regarding the possibility of undertaking the restoration of a group of cottages associated with the former brewery and located in the centre of a proposed redevelopment to be carried out by the Borough as the first stage of more extensive rehabilitation of the historic heart of Paignton. This suggestion was considered by the Trust to be beyond its financial resources at that time. Nevertheless, the Trust welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the borough in that part of the County. It suggested that the block of buildings on the perimeter of the development area which included the malt loft offered an opportunity for conversion to commercial premises on the ground floor with residential accommodation over at a cost that lay within its means and, on the basis of the successful scheme at Ottery St. Mary, one that was more likely to yield a profit.
Terms were agreed with the Borough Council for the transfer of the property at historic cost and for the proportionate disposal of any net profit on completion. Following receipt of competitive tenders, the contract to convert the building to a ground floor shop/workshop with a separate 3-bedroom flat over, began on 5th June, 1982, and was completed early in 1983. The buildings quickly found a buyer.
This conversion and restoration was among the first of the improvements which the Borough Council had completed in this part of Paignton in recent years and was of particular importance in maintaining older traditions within a redevelopment area. The much needed paving, planting, repair and refurbishment of the footpaths, stone steps and open space close to the Brewery, as well as the repair of the ancient “clink”, have consolidated the earlier work of the Trust and helped considerably to improve this area of the town.