‘Current Economical Climate’ Sees Plans to Partially Convert Retail Space Into Housing

Proposals to partially convert vacant retail space in the town centre into apartments have been submitted – with the application stating that larger retail spaces are difficult to let in the current economical climate. 

In an application submitted to Wrexham Council it has been proposed that the first and second floor of 10 Argyle Street, in Wrexham Town Centre, are converted from retail space and into residential accomodation.

Previously the space had been used as an opticians and more recently for Soda, a local comic book store – however the space has been vacant for several months.

The building itself currently has ground floor retail space, with storage and office space being spread across the first and second floors.

However it is proposed that there is a reduction in the commercial space on the first and second floors and that access to them is closed off.

If the application is successful the two floors will be developed into four, self-contained apartments. A new access point to the four flats would be constructed to the side of the building, to replace an existing access staircase.

With regards to retail space, the application proposes that the ground floor is retained for retail use, along with a staff room and toilet. The ground floor will undergo a general refurbishment, however there is no indication on who the future tenant of the shop could be.

Details about the proposed development are provided within the Design and Access Statement, which reads: “As with most towns in this economic climate, there are many units within the town centre that are vacant and have been for a long period of time.

“With the current economical climate, some of the smaller units have successfully been let or sold to small local enterprises with larger high street chain types preferring the larger more modern units found on the retail parks recently built.

“Larger town centre units such as this one are therefore being left vacant and becoming unsightly, as well as adding to the financial instability of the area.

“We believe this proposal will ensure that an existing vacant building will be brought back into the local economy with a viable solution.”

The application is expected to go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee at a later date.