A former Huntingdonshire furniture shop could soon house a development of flats under new plans. 

A planning application submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council seeks permission for 15 properties above Brittains Furnishers Ltd, a former furniture store in St Neots. 

The flats would be spread across the first and second floors of the building and including two studio apartments, 10 one-bed flats and three two-bed flats.

The family business, a fixture of the high street for almost 100 years, was forced to close its doors last year. 

Its owners cited the "impact of the internet, rising costs and the current recession" as factors behind the decision. 

Brittains started out more than 120 years ago when Frank Brittain launched his first shop in Eaton Ford, before taking up the former High Street location in 1924. 

Speaking at the time, Nigel Brittain said: "We have seen many changes over the years and it is with deep regret and sadness that, after 120 years of trading, our family business in St Neots is closing its doors.

"The business has coped with all the changes but recently it has become very difficult to compete against the internet, rising costs and the current recession.

"We have been located at our High Street shop for almost 100 years and seen a lot of changes over the years to current day, only in the last few years we have seen some other established businesses also close in the town.

He added: "The High Street and customer habits are changing at such a pace, loyalty, service, experience, and knowledge are becoming a thing of past."

A planning statement from applicants Apavi Group Holdings said: "The property is located in the town centre and comprises of a three-storey building with retail at ground and office accommodation above with parking for six to seven cars to the rear. The property being in the town centre locality means it is easily reachable by walking from all amenities in the town centre.

"As the proposed change of use affects only the use of the upper floors and not the ground floor and comprises no material external changes, then the proposed change of use to apartments will not harm the character of the St. Neots conservation area and is thus acceptable in these terms."

You can track the progress of this application using the reference 24/01727/P3JPA.