New plans for former bakery in Lowestoft bombed during war

Developers want to convert the property - which was damaged during a Second World War air raid - on Lowestoft High Street into a two-bed flat and office.

Under their proposals, which have been lodged with East Suffolk Council, they will keep the distinctive facade on the property.

The site is one of many boarded up shops in Lowestoft which have seen it labelled a 'zombie town'. Earlier this year, it emerged more than a quarter of its commercial premises were permanently shuttered.

Plans have been lodged for the vacant former bakery at 58 High Street in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The bakery opened in the late 1950s on the site of a former grocers.The former bakery at 58 High Street, Lowestoft in days gone by. Picture: Historic England (Image: Historic England) The International Tea Company Stores dated back to around 1850.

In February 1941, it was partially demolished by a German bomb which killed Rosina Smith - an ARP warden - and her husband William.

The public site notice as plans have been lodged for the vacant former bakery at 58 High Street in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Documents submitted by the applicants say that the premises - including the bakery had been for sale since October last year until they were recently bought by MS Oakes Securities Ltd.

Plans have been lodged for the vacant former bakery at 58 High Street in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

They add: "The aim of the project is to generate income via a self-contained flat which can then cross subsidise a viable commercial use in the form of an office or smaller retail outlet - the existing main use."

A decision is likely to be made by East Suffolk Council in the coming weeks.