Newark Upper Floors

Unlocking hidden potential above the high street

In Newark town centre, many of the buildings that give the high street its character have empty upper floors. Most are Grade II or II* listed, and the whole area is a conservation zone. The local authority wanted to understand what was holding these spaces back and how they could be brought back into use to provide much-needed homes and help the town centre feel alive again. Daykin Marshall brought me on board as part of the team to help investigate.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, I advised on the practicalities of turning these historic upper floors into good-quality homes. That meant looking closely at how to improve thermal performance, fire safety, and acoustic separation, all without damaging the fabric or character of these historic buildings. We uncovered a mix of physical and commercial barriers to reuse and offered the council practical proposals for how to encourage sensitive, high-quality development going forward.

The local authority is now working on guidance to help landlords bring their upper floors back into use, and a more detailed study is underway on a part-vacant building owned by a local charity. While it’s early days, this project has already started shifting the conversation: showing that with the right support and advice, there’s huge untapped potential in the spaces just above our heads.