Charity shop and cafe plans for vacant town centre shop

A large and currently disused store in Wrexham town centre looks set to soon be occupied by a Wrexham based charity – with plans to introduce a cafe to the building.

Nightingale House Hospice have lodged an application with Wrexham Council for a partial change of use to a cafe for the first floor of 3-7 Regent Street.

The building was previously home to Boots, prior to its relocation to Eagles Meadow almost 10 years ago. Over the years several other businesses have occupied the building – which has now been vacant for sometime.

Within application’s design and access statement, it is noted that the landlord has “now found a potential tenant in Nightingale House Hospice” who plan on using the building as a charity shop with a small cafe area.

The charity shop element will be based across the ground and first floor of the building, with the application stating that a section at the rear of the first floor is used as the proposed cafe area. This would serve hot and cold beverages, sandwiches and snacks to either eat at the premises or take out.

The application’s design and access statement adds: “It is considered that the proposed change of use will offer suitable commercial premises that will encourage visits to the town centre itself and extended time spent in the application building.

“The proposal will offer economic benefits in the short-term as the proposal will provide employment for those contracted to undertake the refurbishment works and long-term by employment of staff.”

The plans could be discussed by Councillors at a future planning meeting, or approved by the relevant planning officer under delegated powers.