New Life for the Village

The past is often a place where the imagination of today may soar, yet it was also a time when people had lives to live. Some of them were busy working all the hours of the day, yet others had leisure time. Businesses were there to serve the public, and many of them house both the business and the owner. The imagination of today can mean new life for the old village centre even if the buildings are in desperate need of repair.

Shops in heavy use more than a century ago might be abandoned today, or some of them could have already been renovated for use as private residences or new businesses. Those that still retain their old furnishings and functions can now be repurposed for modern life, and even some of the furnishings might be able to be restored to retain the charm and memory of those who lived more than a century ago.

Down the Street

For small business owners, finding a good property for their business can be a long search. They might be lucky enough to find an empty...

Gentrifying Rundown Areas

One of the most controversial topics in urban studies today is gentrification. Simply put, gentrification is the process by which a low-income neighbourhood is gradually...

A Store and a Home

The lack of easy mobility was often a reason towns were small. Shop owners rarely commuted to work, and they usually lived in an apartment...

The Notions Shop

Businesses today often have workers who need never appear in the office, but there are times when holding meetings with everyone present might be a...

Home Buyers Priced Out

As development and regeneration continue to transform urban areas, many young people are being priced out of the neighbourhoods they grew up in. For generations,...

Raising the Next Generation

When the younger generation leaves an area, it can be devastating over time. Houses that once sheltered large families could remain empty for decades. Repairs...

The Livery Stable

Few people have ever been lucky enough to own a landed estate, so those who had horses and lived in the centre of town needed...

Increased Security Measures

Renovating old buildings can be a great way to add value to existing properties and revitalise neighbourhoods. However, along with this revitalisation comes the need...