Timely restoration for historic commercial property
Work has started on a restoration project which will restore the Georgian charm to one of Beverley’s oldest commercial buildings and transform it into a luxury watch shop.
Swap Watch, which buys and sells high-end luxury watches, wants to move in to 2 North Bar Within in time for February next year – once the Grade II Listed building has undergone a £100,000 makeover.
The mid-terraced premises, which was built midway through the 17th century and forms part of the town’s Georgian quarter, has been snapped up by Beverley resident Rob Ford and his business partner John Traynor after being marketed for offers over £195,000 by PPH Commercial.
Sitting in a prominent position at the junction of Lairgate, North Bar Within and the exit to Saturday Market, the opening will represent a return to the place where it all began for Ford.
Having grown up in Beverley, the 48-year-old discovered his love for luxury watches when living just 50 metres from the town’s market place as a boy and he has bought and sold them ever since.
Ford said: “My love for luxury watches first started as a young boy living in Beverley, so I’m thrilled to be able to open my first retail venture here in my hometown all these years later.
“We pride ourselves on always being able to source and supply the right luxury watch for our clients, using contacts from around the world to deliver great price, quality and service.
“It’s an historic old building which requires a lot of work to make sure it’s fit for our requirements, especially from a security point of view.
“But it’s a project that excites both John and myself and we feel privileged to be able to bring the beautiful old place back to its former glory.”
