Former barber shop and mini-mart raided by Trading Standards amid 'improper activities' can become apartment

A former shop in Shrewsbury that was raided by Trading Standards officers is to be turned into an apartment.

The former tenants of 35-37 Castle Foregate in Shrewsbury were reportedly evicted following the bust.

Until recently, the retail units were occupied by tenants who operated a mini-mart and barbershop.

But documents submitted to Shropshire Council said the tenants were evicted after a number of raids by Trading Standards teams and the discovery of "improper activities”.

It is claimed that in 2021 they abandoned the unit in the middle of the night, leaving outstanding debt and damage to the property.

Morris Lubricants, which own the premises, has now been given the green light to turn the ground floor into a two-bedroom apartment.

"The development would provide a satisfactory standard of residential accommodation whilst preserving the character and appearance of the building and the surrounding area," said the council’s planning and development services manager Tabitha Lythe.

“Subject to the implementation of noise mitigation measures, the proposal would not result in any unacceptable impacts on neighbouring occupiers or the wider street scene and is therefore considered to represent a sustainable form of development."