TWO high street shops in a centuries-old building earmarked for demolition are preparing to close their doors for good.

The Little Bargain Store and the former Heritage Antiques and Collectables, in Epping High Street, are both selling off their remaining stock and will shut up shop in the coming days.

The three-storey building, parts of which are 300 years old, was seriously damaged by fire in September 2010, forcing owner Alan Peterson to sell to developers Edgewest Epping.

The company's plans to demolish the locally-listed building and build eight flats and space for a ground floor restaurant prompted anger from residents and shopkeepers.

The district council refused consent in February, saying the locally-listed building made a 'positive architectural contribution' to the character of the conservation area in which it sits.

But the Planning Inspectorate overturned the decision in July, pointing out that 'attempts over the last five years to market the premises for retail purposes have failed' and describing the current shops as 'unsatisfactory'. All upper floors and outbuildings on the site are vacant.

Epping Society spokesman Charles Geddes said he had witnessed workers entering the building with drilling rigs to conduct what he believed were ground surveys three weeks ago.

"We are quite sad to see the building go," he added.

"It was turned down for spot listing as a grade II building.

"In the future we would just hope that, if buildings did have to go, perhaps they would be more mindful of the look of buildings that might be built."

Restaurant chain Pizza Express applied to the district council for a licence to sell alcohol at the site in January.

The Guardian contacted Andre Fattal, co-owner of the Edgewest Group, to enquire about the status of the site development.

He initially denied any involvement with the group, before confirming his position and stating 'there is no information'.