Many of Rye’s more shall we say ‘established’ residents will remember Burnham builders who had their company office at 3 Landgate and their yard between Eagle Road and Landgate, now a popular residential development. Burnham were one of the early occupants of 3 Landgate and since leaving, the premises has had a number of tenants over the years and now, it is vacant once more, ready for a new business.
The Burnham name plate in the photograph was discovered behind the old fascia during a refurbishment when estate agents Foxwood Maclean took over the ground floor of the building in 2014. They had taken the business over from Calcutt Maclean Standen who had been there for some time.
During their tenure they sold the business to another firm of estate agents, Humberts - the national chain who also acquired their offices in Cranbrook and Wye as well as their fine arts business. The acquisition did not go well and the business was bought back by the then newly reformed business, Calcutt Maclean Wood, who eventually rebranded themselves Foxwood Maclean - incorporating Mulberry Cottages, a specialist holiday cottage letting agency.
When Foxwood Maclean closed their Rye branch the building was vacant for some time, other than the upper floors, which were occupied by a long standing firm of architects. The ground floor was then let to Pale & Interesting who were trading there until recently when the shop became vacant once more.
The upper floors of 3 Landgate have consent for conversion from offices to a residential dwelling so change is inevitable, but it will also be interesting to see who the next occupant of the shop will be. Watch this space.
