Plans to shell out on a name change

A landmark building by the River Trent could have its distinctive banner changed as part of plans to convert it into flats.

Thorpe’s Warehouse, on Millgate, Newark, has for decades been identified in huge letters as Newark Egg Packers Ltd.

It has become a well known feature on that stretch of the river and is known by many simply as the Egg Packers building.

A planning application has been submitted by Guy Taylor Associates on behalf of the owners, Willoughby 396, who want to change the banner to Thorpe’s Warehouse.

They want to repaint it as part of plans to convert the empty building into flats and office units.

Mr Chris Dawkins, of Guy Taylor Associates, said: “The sign has been on there for a long time as Egg Packers but that has been gone a long time and they want to rebrand it.

“It’s going back to what it was called originally.

“The existing sign is badly worn as well, so it is an opportunity to renew it.”

The sign would be painted in the same bold black and white style.

No objections have been raised to the proposal by Newark Town Council or Newark Civic Trust.

Mr Michael Hawes, Newark Civic Trust’s planning officer, said they had discussed it at their meeting and no objections had been made.

He said the only concern was that the spacing and size of the lettering was proportionate.

The warehouse was built in 1872 and originally used as a barley store and malthouse.

It was acquired by Newark Egg Packers Ltd in 1932, with the banner being added sometime between 1938 and 1965, although the actual egg packing took place in a next-door building.

The building was later rented out to Weston Mill Pottery but has been vacant since 2007.

The planning application says the banner is a “very important historical element to the building in that it helps define the former industrial area and is very prominent from the river and adjacent lock.

“It is also significant to the Millgate area, with a similar banner also found on the nearby Navigation House.

“The concept of a painted banner should therefore remain.

“The existing wording, however, remains specific to a single transitory company that once used the building.

“It is therefore proposed that the wording be overwritten with something more appropriate to its varied history and future use.”

Newark and Sherwood District Council will have the final decision.