What an exciting find, long forgotten under deep layers of chipboard, old tiles and carpet is what must be the original, stunning Versailles pattern parquet floor. For a moment, the plans for hard wearing alchemist style Amtico tiles get pushed to one side and there is a vision of palace level, original flooring restored. But as further sections get uncovered, it becomes obvious why it has been covered. 1000s of hard leather, studded shoes and hobnailed boots in past times mean there are sections worn through to the floorboards underneath and the wood is so thin it doesn’t look like it can deal with any more trampling. Even from more forgiving soft soled modern trainers. But what’s left of this beautiful hand made floor certainly merits another chapter in its life, so for now, what’s left of it, is labelled, carefully lifted and boxed up to be restored at a later date. Perhaps it might eventually be put down in a quieter area of the former pharmacy. Somewhere with a more sympathetic level of footfall, like a retired racehorse being quietly put out to the paddock.