LANDMARK TAUNTON CLOCK TOWER RESTORED AS PART OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

A broken clock tower in Taunton town centre has been restored to full working order as part of a £400,000 refurbishment of a riverside scheme that has lain empty for 20 years.

National commercial property and investment company LCP has completed the renovation of Tone Chambers, a mock Tudor building on The Bridge, converting the derelict first-floor offices into six apartments. It also ensured that the defunct clock and clock tower was cleaned and restored to its former glory.

Ed Tuckett, asset manager at LCP, said the company acquired the scheme, which also comprises eight, ground-floor retail units, in 2016 as part of the company’s plans to undertake more residential developments.

“The first floor had lain empty for 20 years and was in a very poor state of repair, but we could see it had potential to be converted into much-needed one- and two-bedroom apartments,” he said.

“They will attract young professionals, thanks to their ideal location, being just ten minutes from the railway station, their high quality specification and the fact that they also qualify for the Help To Buy scheme.

“We were told that the clock tower on the roof was an important landmark but had lain broken for a number of years, so as a gift to the town, we had it restored.”

The apartments, three one-bedroom and three two-bedroom, are finished to a high specification, with grey painted Shaker kitchens with Quartz stone worktops and deluxe bathrooms. One-bedroom apartments are available for £120,000, while the two bedrooms are £137,500. All are available on Help to Buy. For details, telephone Connells on 01823 334433.