Trowbridge's Old Knees building for sale

The building at 26 Fore Street in Trowbridge town centre has gone on the market years after the green light was given to transform one of Trowbridge’s most well-known buildings into dozens of residential properties.

Wiltshire Council granted permissions for the development on February 17, 2022, giving the go-ahead for conversion into 24 flats and a commercial unit.

The property consists of a five-storey premises that was previously part of the HJ Knee Department Store. It is being marketed by Watling Real Estate Limited.

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Side elevations for the proposed plans for the former Knees of Trowbridge building, filed as part of the 2021 application. (Image: Wiltshire Council) The front of the building will open out onto Castle Street, just opposite the entrance to the Shires shopping centre.

Property company Stonegate Homes launched a planning bid to convert some of the space in the former Fore Street retail building into flats in 2021.

At a town development committee meeting in April 2021, Trowbridge Town Council gave its approval of the development under the condition it is built with triple glazed windows.

It was also noted the plans are for a “car-free development” which essentially means there is zero parking for future residents.

Speaking at the meeting, town council leader, Stewart Palmen said he believed a lot of people were generally in favour of the plans, but businesses were in opposition.