PLANS to redevelop Poole Pottery’s landmark store to create new retail space and 82 homes will be presented to the public this month.

Developer Richard Carr, chief executive of Fortitudo, says the scheme would “revitalise” Poole Quay by bringing a new business and residents to the area.

As well as the former Poole Pottery building, the development would incorporate the historical Swan Inn pub. The locally listed building would be retained, with the ground floor used as an educational facility, themed around its historic links to Poole Pottery.

Fortitudo is due to submit its outline planning application to Poole council in May. A new ground floor retail unit with 82 one and two-bedroom flats is proposed at the site of Poole Pottery’s former store, which has already been established as having no architectural merit.

The design of the building is inspired by the historic warehouse buildings along the quay, Mr Carr said.

“The building is an eyesore currently,” he said.

“With this development, we’ve moved away from contemporary architecture so it’s more in keeping with the style of buildings on Poole Quay.

“The whole of the Swan Inn building will be retained, with the ground floor used for community educational facilities in perpetuity. The ceramic tiles on the façade of the building were made by Poole Pottery.”

A public exhibition will be held from 4-8pm on Thursday, April 12, at the Poole Methodists' building in the High Street. Members of the project team will be answering people’s questions about the proposals.

“We’re really excited about presenting our plans,” Mr Carr said.

“The development should revitalise Poole Quay, which has not been successful with its retail offering at Dolphin Quays. We feel this unit is prominent, and it would be great to fill it with a decent retail offering.”

Poole Pottery closed its visitor centre and studio in October 2017 and has not been able to find a suitable alternative premises in the area.

The site has been identified by the council in its emerging Poole Local Plan as being suitable for redevelopment to provide around 50 homes and a ground floor use that “reflects the historic use of the site as Poole Pottery.”

Fans of the iconic brand have always hoped it would continue to have a presence in the local area, and Poole Museum has been acquiring important ceramics from the Poole Pottery collection so that they can be seen by the public.