A VINTAGE clothing shop is hoping to keep its old stock but in a new premises.

The Lindy Lou’s vintage clothing shop in High Street, Rayleigh, will be forced to close if planning permission is approved to demolish the single storey building and replace it with a three-storey redevelopment.

However the dream may not be over for the owners who have been promised first refusal of the new ground floor unit.

The shop is owned and managed by Linda Williams.

Her husband, Paul, who also works at the shop, said: “The development has not been our own as we rent from the landlord but he has spoken to us about the whole situation.

“My wife and I are absolutely fine with, it is as a decision he needs to make.

“It will be about two years before the building will be fully redeveloped.”

The building is set within High Street which comprises mainly of retail units on the ground floor with office spaces and apartments on the upper floors.

Lindy Lou’s has been a part of the town centre for a number of years and has remained popular throughout the time it has been run by the Williams. Mr and Mrs Williams have been given assurances that they will be able to return to the unit once the development has been completed, should they desire to do so.

Mr Williams said: “Everything has been spoken about and we have been given about six to eight months notice when have to leave the unit. The landlord has confirmed to us that we will have first refusal on the building once it is ready, and we may be able to move straight back into the unit.” The proposed development would see the first floor of the building used as a shop once with three new apartments above.