The next phase of development is on the horizon for a Suffolk town centre Greggs, previously named the 'fanciest in the UK', but work could take a year to complete.
Emmerson Marshall-Critchley, who owns Emmerson Critchley Ltd which specialises in restoring period properties, has begun work at the Bury St Edmunds Abbeygate Street Greggs store, with scaffolding first appearing on Thursday, November 30.
Mr Marshall-Critchley, who has worked in construction full time since he was 14 and grew up in Bury St Edmunds, said initial exploratory work revealed the Grade II* listed building has sustained a lot of rain water ingress which has caused damage to the structure.
"We've nearly finished the exploratory stage, and we have found that the majority of the water ingress is due to rain water," he said.
"We believe most of the damage caused to the front façade has been due to basically a downpipe which wasn't connected and has obviously come loose."
Other problems include moisture being drawn into the timber where it meets the pavement on the front, as well as guttering along the top not properly being installed.
Mr Marshall-Critchley said the exploratory phase of the project will be coming to an end in the next couple of weeks, but the whole project could take a year or more to complete.
Listed Building Consent applications will be submitted for the parts of the building that need fully replacing, which could take two to four months to come back, and repairs can begin as quickly as possible with conservation officer consent.
"I hope that this is going to be a good fix for probably 100 years but it does mean Greggs will need to maintain the painting and do regular checks," Mr Marshall-Critchley said.
"This isn't going to be a quick fix, it is going to have to be done in stages."
Of his passion for the project, he said: "For me it is about our heritage. It is an honour to be restoring this building in a way that will last for hundreds of years.
"If people weren't as passionate about our heritage as me we wouldn't have anything left.
"We are able to break it down with clients, which is important. I have read some of the information that is written on google and it is not always right, anyone can post anything."
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