Work starts to regenerate long term vacant Henblas Street block

Work transforming a row of derelict retail units and office space into an “exciting new development” is now underway.

Builders moved in to start the redevelopment of Henblas Square last week.

Earlier this month Wrexham.com reported that plans to convert the first floor office space above the row of shops had been approved by all but one member of the council’s planning committee, despite concerns about the lack of parking for tenants.

The plans for 52 one bedroom and and three two bedroom apartments above all shops but TJ Hughes were described by the leader of Wrexham Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard as “investment and regeneration needed in the town.”

At the time a representative for Mandale Group, applicants for the development, said work converting the office space would start very soon after being approved with a comment from a representative at the planning meeting he would be doing work himself the very next morning if approved. After observing several years of planning meetings with often grand statements made before committee, it appears these comments have become a reality.

It was also indicated at the time that the applicants were also looking at another one or two sites in Wrexham.

Last week work clearing out the office space to make way for the redevelopment began.

Similar work is also being carried out on the ground floor shops, with the likes of the former Post Office, The Entertainer, Bodycare and Evans all being gutted ahead of being redeveloped and reoffered to market.

Documents issued to local businesses around the Henblas Square area last week received documents about the “exciting new development” and the transformation of the area.

A letter sent alongside with details of the retail units states that seven of them will be “refurbished to a high standard” and that they are available with “attractive rents and terms.”

One unit not up for lease is the former BHS, with documents confirming the well known secret in Wrexham of a “major sports retailer” being the anchor tenant for the new scheme.

The floor plan being circulated is below, with the rental ask also included. It is noted in the particulars that walls can be removed for those wanting larger units.