Proposals to create apartments above Wrexham town centre shop would reinvigorate ‘neglected’ building

Plans to create apartments above a shop in Wrexham town centre would help to reinvigorate a “neglected” building, developers have said.

An application has been submitted which would see the upper floors of the former Herbwood Chinese Medical Centre on Hope Street converted into five apartments.

It follows the approval of a number of schemes to encourage town centre living in recent years, including on nearby Henblas Square, where 53 flats have been built.

Consultants acting on behalf of Harding Commercial said it would also result in the shop being refurbished and advertised for let.

In documents put forward to Wrexham Council, they said: “The proposal is to make minor alterations to the ground floor retail space and utilise the existing rear external staircase to serve the first, second and third floors which are to be converted to form five apartments.

“The existing substandard, narrow internal staircase which currently serves the existing first floor accommodation will be removed due to safety concerns, the staircase being only 500mm wide and not safe for continued use.

“The existing retail space at ground floor level is to be refurbished and refitted as part of the development and is to be re-let on completion in order to contribute positively to the regeneration of the town centre.

“The proposals therefore, provide an opportunity to breathe new life into an important but long underused and neglected building which will provide much needed, good quality, sustainable town centre residential accommodation whilst preserving and enhancing the character and appearance of the town centre conservation area.”

The outside of the building is set to be repaired and redecorated as part of the proposals.

The developers said the existing windows would be replaced due to showing signs of “advanced decay”.

The plans will be considered by the local authority at a later date.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter