'Major' retailer plans move into Market Drayton

A major retailer could be opening a store in Market Drayton, creating 25 jobs, if plans for a grocery shop and car park get given the go-ahead from planners.

Proposals have been submitted to Shropshire Council for a retail outlet at the former ATS Euromaster tyre depot in Shrewsbury Road. The site has been unused for almost a year.

The scheme includes creating a shop and car park, creating four full-time and 21 part-time jobs.

It is not known who is behind the plans, but it is believed to be a major UK retailer.

The news has been met with mixed reaction from business leaders in Market Drayton.

Roy Aldcroft, chairman of Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "There have been rumours about a retail premises coming to the site for about six months.

"I think it represents the town as a place for retail growth very well and it will bring some much-needed investment in to the town at a time when we hear shops are closing and making way for new homes.

"I think it will add some competition to stores we have already got here, but if it is a big company I worry that the small stores will be under-cut in their prices."

In a design and access statement on behalf of the applicant it says: "The proposal will create a local neighbourhood shop which will serve the community as a top-up shop for basket shopping.

"It will bring into use an unoccupied building on an important main street frontage in to the town centre."

The proposed opening hours for the shop are 7am to 11pm, including Sundays and bank holidays.

Three staff at ATS Euromaster lost their jobs when the branch closed. The closure was part of a wider shake-up of the business.