“National coffee shop chain or potential restaurant” proposals for long term vacant Regent St shop

A long-term vacant unit just outside of Wrexham town centre could become home to a new eatery following “enquiries from a national coffee shop chain and a potential restaurant tenure”.

An application has been lodged with Wrexham Council by The Atmore Group, who are seeking permission to change a vacant shop on Regent Street from retail to Class A3 – allowing for the sale of food or drink for consumption on the premises or of hot food for consumption off the premises.

The vacant property, located at Unit 1b at Regent House on Regent Street, has been empty for a number of years having previously been home to bed and carpet stores.

In the planning applications supporting documents, it is noted that in 2016 the owners of the store drew up plans to convert the property into two units. While this has not “proved successful for retailers”, there has been interest from potential A3 tenants.

In November 2017 Wrexham.com reported that planning permission to convert the adjoining Unit 1a into a Papa Johns pizza franchise had been approved by members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee.

Work on the building is already underway and it is anticipated to be complete by summertime.

Now a planning application has been submitted to Wrexham Council proposing a similar change of use for the adjoining Unit 1b, with the applicants stating that there have been enquiries from a “national coffee shop chain and a potential restaurant tenure”.

Details about the proposed change of use are provided in the application’s supporting documents, which states: “Approximately 50 per cent of the total lettable space in the building has been unoccupied for nearly four years.

“Clearly this level of vacant accommodation is not equitable or sustainable to the owners.

“Also unoccupied space at ground floor level fronting Regent Street significantly affects the appearance of the building and the quality of the environment to this gateway into the town centre.”

The application for change of use for the property will be considered for approval at a later date.