We’ve already written about the idea of a Rayleigh Museum, however the Echo has a useful update:
Local historian, founder of Rayleigh Through the Looking Glass and chairman of the Rayleigh Town Museum Working Party, Mike Davies, has found a suitable building for his project.
Mr Davies, Rayleigh citizen of the year, has been searching for years to find a suitable home for his archives of Rayleigh artefacts and now hopes to have found the perfect spot.
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He has submitted a planning application to Rochford District Council for the first floor of 91-93 Rayleigh High Street above Yours clothing shop and now awaits the planning officers? decision.
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Mr Davies said: ?This is the oldest secular building in Rayleigh High Street and is a Grade II listed building within the conservation area.
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?The location and building is ideal for a Town Museum, and the owner has agreed to install a fully accessible passenger lift, before we take possession of the building on a long lease. We have a long way to go, with planning permission required, as well as a need for a Heritage Lottery Grant that we are in the process of applying for, but all the signs are good.?
As usual, Ron and Chris must stay neutral in advance of any planning meeting. The application also includes turning the ground floor into a restaurant or cafe, and you can find it here.