Fashion chain buys Market Drayton's ex-Woolworths

One of the last former Woolworths stores in Shropshire looks set to be turned into a clothes shop with the creation of up to 10 jobs, it was revealed today.

Discount fashion retailer Peacocks is to open a new store on the site of the former Woolworths in Market Drayton if plans get the green light from Shirehall.

The move would bring to an end almost two years of speculation about what might happen to the vacant retail site - one of the biggest in Market Drayton town centre.

Earlier this year traders reacted with anger at plans by Shropshire Council to use the site as an archive for council records. The plans were later shelved.

Now Peacock Stores Limited has applied for full planning permission to install a new shop front and air conditioning unit at the High Street site as part of a wider scheme. Shopfitters this week moved in to begin preparing the shop for transformation.

The British chain already has stores in Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Telford.

Documents submitted to the council suggest the shop would sustain a mix of 10 full and part-time jobs. It would open from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays, with late opening until 8pm on Thursdays and weekend opening, but full details are yet to be confirmed.

Councillor Roger Hughes, Shropshire Council member for Market Drayton West, today welcomed the news.

He said: "It's got to be good news that we have another business coming to the high street in Market Drayton.

"It's also good news that there will be some new jobs created for local people.

"Now we just need the Corbet Arms to be re-opened and High Street will look much better."

A consultation period on the plans is due to end on November 11, with a decision due in mid-December.