Concerns over late hours with shop bid at Mullins Heating site
Plans to transform a burned-out building in Shrewsbury into a shop, creating up to 22 jobs, have been slammed by local residents and the town council.
Developers want to transform the former Mullins Heating showroom on London Road into what they call a ‘service station’ - despite the plans not including a petrol station - creating four full time jobs and 18 part-time positions.
The building was damaged in a huge fire last May which needed 50 firefighters to bring it under control.
Developers have remained tight-lipped about exact use of the site, but residents fear its late night opening hours will attract trouble.
A planning application submitted to Shropshire Council said the opening hours would be 6am until 11pm from Monday to Saturday and 7am until 11pm on Sundays.
It would also have parking for 10 cars, including one for disabled drivers.
But the scheme has faced heavy criticism from residents with 30 objections lodged with Shropshire Council so far.
Shrewsbury Town Council has also criticised the plans and asked for the opening hours to be scaled back.
In a statement of objection, town clerk Helen Ball said: “Due to the residential area, opening hours should be from 8am-6pm Monday-Friday and 8am-12pm on Saturdays.”
She added that members were also concerned about the number of parking places in the plans.
Town councillor Jacqueline Brennand, who represents the Column ward and who lives opposite the site, said she feared the development would lead to anti-social behaviour in the area.
She said: “The proposed opening hours are totally inappropriate for a residential, conservation area.
“It is likely that unsociable, and anti-social behaviour, littering and vandalism will become a threat. We have plenty of shops nearby.”
By Catherine Ferris
Comments for: "Concerns over late hours with shop bid at Mullins Heating site "
jonboy
“It is likely that unsociable, and anti-social behaviour, littering and vandalism will become a threat. We have plenty of shops nearby.”
Do the existing shops attract this anti-social activity? I live in the area and haven't noticed anything, so why would this new development do so?
Helen Ball's suggested opening hours are ridiculous, 4 hours on a Saturday? Never open after 6pm? What about people who work for a living, they'll never be able to use it. It's a shop not a nightclub or a brothel. Keep calm and carry on.
sowhat
Why would this encourage vandalism, anti social behaviour etc?? also their aren't anything near by unless you think asda is local!! this would make good use of this site.
Yet again a busy body councillor ' not near my house' comment from Jacqueline Brennand.
Brimondo
NIMBY attitude!
The pub/restaurant next door keeps similar hours, yet it's not known as a hotbed of unrest.
Daft argument, I hope it gets go ahead after reading such nonsense
DesperateForAnApsirin
Really, Ms Brennand? Where can I buy and aspirin, a loaf and a pint of milk after 6pm? Asda? After 8pm? Sainsburys? Not everyone has a car. I think I smell a touch nimbyism affecting your unprejudiced view of what's best for your consituents.
eva land
Brimondo says:
[Daft argument, I hope it gets go ahead after reading such nonsense]
What, after a councillor has said that they were affected, you are joking! What do you think people become councillors for if not to look after self interests!
Oh, and the nice little income too.
why all the complaining
People who live in and near the town of Shrewsbury dont know how lucky they are, we would love a small shop in our village. The fact that some locals are objecting to a service that will be used by many people who;(unlike the ones objecting) may be don't have cars in the household, and therefore can not just jump in their car and drive to Asda or Sainsburys.
May be the people who live near by to the area should try living with out a car for a few weeks and see how they cope.(and im sure many don't have cars) We have a 6 mile round trip to get a pint of milk; yes it was my choice to live where we do; but come on its only a shop,not 100 houses on your door step people of the Column, if it was houses then you might have an increase in 'anti-social' behaviour ...
Jezebel
Dear Ms "why all the complaining"
It appears to me that you are the one complaining!!! "we would love a small shop in our village" and " we have a 6 mile round trip for a pint of milk" yes do as you say and move to be near the column or put up and shut up!!!!!
a g bell
At a time when so many local shops in residential areas are being forced to close down through competition from big supermarkets and when the town council are encouraging small businesses to the town surely this is a step in the right direction?
james carter
like the same hours as the PUB or the fish and chip shop???? Come on get real!