A significant transformation looms in Street, with the unveiling of plans to demolish the Crispin Centre and build retirement flats in its place.

Built in 1979, the once bustling Crispin Centre was home to a Tesco Metro store, a café, and a handful of independent shops. But when the Tesco store closed, footfall in the precinct began to decline rapidly, with the businesses moving out and pigeons moving in.

Aberdare Estates Ltd, the centre's current owners, have confirmed they are on the verge of an agreement, subject to planning permissions, with Churchill Retirement Living.

If given the green light, the declining centre will be flattened to pave the way for a housing development aimed at the over 60s.

Although businesses like Poole Resources, Specsavers, Boots, and WH Smiths will continue to operate, other tenants, already experiencing dwindling footfall, have been informed of the upcoming changes.

Earlier this month, Insame Games, one of the last remaining tenants in the centre announced it would be closing its doors due to declining sales and foot traffic.

In a quick vox pop on Thursday morning, Street resident Sheila Anderson said: "This shopping centre has been part of our community for decades. It's sad to see it go. We had hoped someone would bring life back to it. It's so sad to see how it looks now."

In contrast, Robert Harrison, 53, saw the change as positive, saying, "While it's tough to see the centre go, we do need more houses for older people."

Lucy Thompson said: "It's shame to see the centre closing and a shame that the development isn't for housing for all ages. There's a lack of affordable family housing in Street."

A spokesperson for Churchill Retirement Properties said, "We are delighted to have acquired a new site in the heart of Street. Our plans for the site would help release many larger, second-hand properties back onto the market for local families to move into."