Greggs to expand and relocate in Wrexham city centre

Greggs in Wrexham is to expand and move – but only across the street.

Wrexham Council’s planning department has approved a move for the bakery chain which is set to relocate from 54 Hope Street to 11 Hope Street in the city centre.

Greggs had sought permission to move to the larger premises, which has been vacant for some time, and transform it into a bakery / coffee shop where customers will be able to sit inside to eat.

According to the applicants, a larger premises is needed as their current premises are small and do not meet the requirements for the business.

Workers at the current unit will relocate to the new one, with scope for Greggs to employ more staff too.

A planning statement produced on behalf of Greggs by JMS Planning and Development said: “It is proposed that the introduction of a replacement (larger) Greggs bakery within Wrexham town centre will provide a complementary service to the general existing provision in the centre, providing an important supporting use thereby reducing unsustainable car journeys, improving the attractiveness of the area for existing visitors and increasing choice, whilst also generating further employment.

“Due to the location of the bakery and its limited scale its impact will be negligible and the retail centre will not be harmed.

“The new store will extend to 215 sqm and will comprise a back of house area and a customer area to include an indoor seating area allowing customers to ‘eat in’ plus other associated works. The sales area will extend to 50 sqm.

“This offer will enable visitors, workers and residents within the wider retail area to obtain sustenance without travelling in their cars.”

It adds: “The site is positioned in the heart of Wrexham town centre, along a designated principal shopping area. It occupies a prominent location on Hope Street and Queen Street. The unit is presently unoccupied, though it was last occupied as a mobile phone shop.”

In their application, Greggs sought permission for opening hours of 6am – 9pm Monday to Saturday, 8am – 6pm on Sundays.

The planning statement adds that “as this is a larger unit, it is considered the proposed unit will provide more jobs than the existing unit.”

“The proposed use will support the immediate surrounding area and uses, residents and workers within the town centre who want to have something convenient and quick to eat”, it says.

“The proposal will make the Wrexham town centre more attractive and sustainable by providing healthy catering facilities whilst also providing several valuable jobs on the site.

“It is expected that the proposal will result in Greggs providing four full-time and eight part-time jobs making a significant contribution to the economy, in addition supporting the uses in the wider area.”

Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer David Fitzsimon has given approval to the plans via delegated decision making powers.

By Rory Sheehan – BBC Local Democracy Reporter