New use planned for historic building in Bromyard, Herefordshire

Woodstar Software has applied for planning permission to turn the upper floors of 6 Market Square in Bromyard from a three-bedroom flat to offices, a meeting room and storage.

Submitted plans show this would not involve any changes to the internal layout of the upper floors.

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It also wants to put its branding on the front of the building, replacing the “Flowerdew’s” sign of the previous occupant, a tearoom and gift shop which closed over two years ago.

It would not need planning permission to repurpose the ground floor, as both uses are covered under the broad “E” use class.

The company specialises in software for the commercial growing and airport sectors, employing six people at the time of its last published accounts.

According to its application, work started on the conversion last month. Its registered office is already given as the Market Square building.

The striking red and black half-timbered building is grade II listed, its official listing describing it as “18th century or earlier”.

It has previously housed a vinegar distillery, a surgeon and apothecary, the town’s library, and an artist’s studio.

It stands opposite the dilapidated Hop Pole hotel, which appears to have recently changed hands at auction and on which renovation work has now begun.

The Flowerdew’s plan is in contrast to other recent developments in the town centre, which have seen commercial premises turned into housing.