J&G Innes Bookshop Conversion Plans Begin

Prime Caledonia Co. Ltd, a small-scale real estate company registered in St Andrews, has recently proposed converting the J&G Innes Bookstore located on the corner of Church and South Street into retail space and residential accommodation.

This historic property, which served St Andrews for 144 years, has been closed since December 31, 2023. According to Allan Crow of Fife Free Press, the Director of Prime Caledonia Co. Ltd, Benedict Laogan, intends to “split the shop into two retail units, restore the upper floors to create five flats, and add one house.” The building proposal has yet to be approved.

The J&G Innes Bookstore was founded in 1879 by the brothers George and John Innes, the bookstore closed indefinitely when the owner, Jude Innes, the brothers’ great-great-granddaughter, retired in December 2023. The brothers founded the local newspaper The St Andrews Citizen in 1872, and copies were sold out of the building until 1998, thus giving it the local name of the ‘Citizen Shop.’ 

In 1927, the outer facade of the building was redesigned in an ornate, liberty style wooden arrangement under the direction of June Innes' grandfather. This distinct design led to the C-List registration of the building premises, due to its structure being deemed of national, historical or architectural interest. The inside of the premises provides approximately 2,444 sq ft of accommodation, and includes an ornate wooden staircase on which an illustration of South Street’s West Post gate is engraved. 

A design statement included in Prime Caledonia Co. Ltd’s proposal stated: “The fundamental principles underlying this planning application prioritise the preservation and conservation of the existing historical fabric, particularly the street-facing elevations along Church Street and South Street.” 

It added that the design approach emphasises the retention of “the ornate decorative staircase, traditional wood-effect ceiling beams, original window shutters with their distinctive panelling, and the heritage bookcases located on the first floor.”

While respecting the distinct historical qualities of the building, the proposal submitted by Prime Caledonia Co. Ltd also plans to alter a small cottage to the rear of the building, known as the Weavers Cottage, by converting it into a two-story house. 

While registered in St Andrews, the company Prime Caledonia Co. Ltd does not yet have a significant presence within the town, and its choice to develop the J&G Bookstore has not been explicitly outlined in the proposal. 

In an interview with The Saint, Luke Norman, a third-year Philosophy student, described his memories of visiting the J&G bookstore. As a child, Luke often visited St Andrews and fondly remembers visiting the ‘Citizen Shop’ and perusing the displays of the store with his family. Then, as a first-year student in 2023, Norman frequented the store for stationery or art supplies. He remembers it as “a nice store that was great for popping in during the holidays or for necessities.” 

The news of potential redevelopment did not surprise Norman: “Apart from it being a historical site, it is prime real estate.” 

He believes that a development plan for a half-retail, half-apartment space might work. According to Norman, St Andrews “would benefit from having more shops for the local industry and tourism [...] Because we have a shortage of […] space in St Andrews […] I think we would benefit from having more accommodation.” He added that keeping the classic feel of the store is important and that often the plan to develop historic buildings “is a tricky one.” 

Peter Jupp, an emeritus Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at the University and town resident since 1978, similarly views the redevelopment of the Bookstore positively: “It is very good that something is going to happen there — an empty property in the town centre is such a waste.” He added that “it is splendid that the upper floors will revert to being accommodation,” but cautioned that the retail units on the ground floor should be “something sensible, rather than short-lived ventures like so many others.”

A rejection or approval of the redevelopment proposal should be decided by Fife Council in the coming months. As of the time of writing this article, Fife Council had not responded to a request to comment on when this result might be publicised. 

Image by Alden Arnold