Shop refurb and apartment plans for city centre property approved

Plans to refurbish a shop in Wrexham city centre and create an apartment on the upper floors have been approved.

An application was submitted in February to carry out changes to a property located at the entrance to Wrexham’s Central Arcade on Hope Street.

The Grade II-listed building dates back to 1891 and consists of a central arcade, with two narrow shop fronts either side of the entrance.

The proposals will see improvements carried out to the ground floor and basement of the unit on the right hand side, which will be retained for commercial use.

The front of the shop will also be revamped, with new decorative gates installed at the entrance to the arcade.

Meanwhile, a one-bedroom apartment will be created on the first, second and third floors, with a bathroom, kitchen and study.

A notice on the Wrexham Council website shows the scheme has now been given the green light.

In a design and access statement lodged with the local authority, the applicants said: “Our proposals aim to rationalise the building and create very functional apartments and shop ready for fit out which is suitable for 21st century living.

“The proposals will bring this vacant building into use and future proof it for years to come and historic assets and details of the building will be retained as much as possible.

“The apartment is proposed to be accessed from a rear stairwell which will be completely separated from the shop premises.

“Provision has been made to ensure that the building is functional in modern day living, such as a bin storage location for the apartment.”

They added: “The apartment is spread over three floors to provide the necessary space for the occupant.

“The historic shop frontage will be retained and where necessary reinstated as part of our application, but the shop fit out and advertisement will not form a part of this particular application.”

The proposals show cycle storage will be provided for the apartment to the rear of the property, with bat and bird boxes installed to aid biodiversity.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter