Market Drayton town council backs plans for new store

Up to 25 full and part-time jobs could be created in Market Drayton after councillors backed plans for a new convenience store.

A major retailer is behind the plans to turn the former ATS Tyre Depot in Shrewsbury Road, Market Drayton, into a shop which would be open from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.

The plans were discussed at a meeting last night by Market Drayton town councillors who voted eight to two in favour of it.

The identity of the applicant is unknown, but papers relating to the plans state that a "recognised national retailer" is behind the application.

The depot closed last year and the plans include demolishing part of the building and refurbishing the remainder so that a shop and car park can be created.

A retail impact statement on the plans said: "It is proposed that the site will be occupied by a recognised national retailer with the intention of providing a community facility for residents living within a half-mile radius of the shop.

"The site will be a major employer, with some 25 full-time and part-time jobs being created when it is fully built and occupied.

Objection

"This proposal, when completed, will be a credit to Market Drayton and will go some way towards getting people to shop within the town, rather than getting into their cars and driving to Shrewsbury, Telford or Stoke-on-Trent. "

Meanwhile, a shop owner in the town has voiced his objection to the plans.

In a letter to the town council, Maroof Shah, who owns Costcutters in Dalelands West, said that his and similar businesses would be threatened.

He added that the a better location would be in the town centre.

Mr Shah said: "They are applying to open the shop on the outskirts of the town but in the town centre, there are many shops that are empty and need to be filled.

"My business and other businesses will suffer if this shop opens and not only would it be harder to maintain our jobs, but our livelihoods would also be at stake."

Shropshire Council is expected to decide on the plans at a meeting next month.

By Winston Brown