Bar and restaurant get go-ahead at former Shrewsbury Argos store
A new bar and restaurant will open in Shrewsbury's former Argos store after controversial plans were given the go-ahead.
The former store on Claremont Street is set to be transformed.
Numerous objections have been lodged against the plans, which would originally have seen the venue launched over two floors, with an open air balcony on the top level.
After concerns about noise and possible anti-social behaviour, the designs were changed and the bar and restaurant will now be on the ground floor, with the second storey being offices and toilets.
An open front kitchen will be on the ground floor, with boothed seating for diners. Meanwhile, the entrance to the venue has been moved to the left hand side of the building so it is as far away from neighbouring residential properties as possible.
Today, Shropshire Council's planning team gave the proposals the green light, although a licence is yet to be granted.
The applicant, Wisetrace Holdings Ltd said when lodging the plans originally, it wanted to create “a recognisable venue and destination” for the town centre.
Conversion work can now start, although some conditions have been imposed by the planning team when granting permission.
In a decision notice, Ian KIlby, development manager at Shropshire Council, said: "No development shall take place until a noise mitigation scheme has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.
"The scheme shall include insulation of the building and mitigation of noise from all plant and equipment associated with the premises.
"The approved scheme shall be completed prior to the use commencing and shall thereafter be retained to protect the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties from excessive noise.
"No development shall take place until a scheme for the extraction, treatment and dispersal of fumes and odours has been submitted in writing to, and approved by, the Local Planning Authority.
"Approval shall be sought upon each significant change to the type of food being prepared and therefore this condition shall remain in force in future."
A premises licence application is also being applied for, which would see the new venue, believed to be called The Claremont, being able to open from 9am to 12.30am Monday to Saturday and 10am to 12.30am on Sundays.
The licence, if granted, would then allow the venue to serve alcohol from 10am to midnight each day.
