Sandwich shop plans for departing carpet firm
EARL Shilton could be getting its first Subway thanks to plans to convert a carpet shop into one of the sandwich franchise’s latest outlets.
Proposals for the property on High Street also include a convenience store section on the ground floor and transformation of the first floor gym used by Earl Shilton Amateur Boxing Club into three flats.
A bid has been approved by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for permission to make the changes which affect the North Wilshire Carpets shop.
The closure of the Earl Shilton store is part of plans by North Wilshire directors Chris and Margaret Sykes to retain the flooring business but ‘downsize’.
They have already secured outline planning permission to knock down the warehouse they own in Burbage and replace it with a new housing development to make the plot more attractive to potential developers.
The site on Coventry Road was once four engineering factories.
Similarly a boxing club, the Heart of England Community Boxing Club, operated upstairs rent free.
A supporting statement from Hugh Moreton Architectural Services on behalf of the applicant for the High Street shop in Earl Shilton, Avtar Dhami, said: “At present the ground floor is used on a part-time basis by a carpet company selling carpets to the public.
“The first floor is used as a boxing gym in the evenings, there is a large car park at the side of the property within the building’s boundary.
“The building is in a poor state of repair, with several roof leaks causing internal damage, the concrete car park, however, is in good order.
“My client’s intention is to fully renovate this outstanding building and bring it back to its former glory.
“He intends to convert the ground floor to a convenience store selling general provisions including food, newspapers, alcohol, with the ground floor he intends to have a cafe selling hot and cold food.
“The original character of the building will be retained, the only change to the front elevation will be the provision of automatic doors, parking will be provided at the car park at the side of the building.”
According to a council officer’s report on the application, because a Subway is classed as a retail shop selling cold food for consumption off the premises, it sits within the same usage band as the existing carpet store (A1) so no permission was actually required for the proposed change of use to the ground floor.
This situation was highlighted and conditions imposed on the approval that the ground floor usage remain as A1 and no external ventilation, extraction system or flue shall be installed on the exterior.
The new Subway will be among a cluster of shops on High Street including a restaurant, beauty salon and several small independent retailers.