Revealing the secrets of a great old bui

12 October 2006

It concealed its secrets while children popped in for their favourite pick and mix and old folk collected their pensions.

And even the staff who worked for decades at number 17 Northgate Street Great Yarmouth knew nothing of its grand past.

Ironically the upper floors of the 17th century building have been saved by neglect and are set to be restored to their former glory after being unoccupied for half a century.

New owners mum and daughter Sheila and Jayne Nicholson were amazed at what they saw when they were first shown round the grade II listed building.

"I could not believe my eyes when I looked at it and just thought of all the work that needed doing, but I could see the potential," said Jayne who took over the post office last week.

"There is wonderful wood panelling in one of the rooms overlooking the street, which has this horrible brown paint on it, but will look fantastic when it is restored. Then there is a secret staircase leading up to the top floor which was hidden by a wooden panel and old wig hooks in some of the cupboards.

"The plaster is falling off and there are holes in the roof, but the conservation officer who looked round said the building is sound."

"The panelled room would make a lovely teashop and we will rent the rest out as flats."

"There is one person who has worked here 20 years and never been upstairs and there is also an old cellar which nobody seems to keen to venture into."

The post office would have been home to a wealthy merchant and was once part of one building with next door Wheatley's antique shop.

Yarmouth borough council conservation officer Darren Barker said: "This is a rare survival that has not been touched or altered while lots of similar properties have been given makeovers or repairs. It has still got lime plaster walls and has not suffered from the DIY culture we have today.

"Northgate Street is in the oldest part of town and many wealthy merchants would have lived there."