Building trade giant plans to move in to former store
A FORMER supermarket in Uttoxeter is set for a new lease of life after plans to move in were lodged by a building trade giant.
Screwfix has submitted a full planning application to East Staffordshire Borough Council to change part of the former Lidl store, in Town Meadows Way, as it prepares to move in.
Screwfix has already revealed its plans to create 800 retail jobs by January 2023 as part of plans to open 80 new shops across the UK and Ireland. The Uttoxeter store will initially employ 12 people.
It comes after the retailer’s sales were boosted during the pandemic as locked-down Britons hired tradespeople to spruce up their properties and gardens.
The chain will be recruiting sales assistants and management roles for its new stores, as well as giving new recruits the chance to join its apprenticeship scheme, which currently trains 850 staff in areas including retail management and human resources.
The boss of Screwfix says its expansion plans are in response to sustained demand from tradespeople who need tools.
Screwfix chief executive John Mewett said: “We know how busy tradespeople are and how important it is to be able to find a Screwfix store close to site. In opening more stores across the UK and Ireland, we’re making Screwfix even more accessible to tradespeople, ensuring they can get their job done quickly, affordably and right first time.
“We’re also delighted to be having a positive impact on local communities, creating more than 800 jobs for local people.”
The firm’s application is to use part of the old Lidl unit – opposite the new Lidl, in Town Meadows Way – as a “commercial, business and service unit”.
It will include replacing the sliding entrance doors with a new aluminumglazed door and the existing glazing to be obscured with a solid window film.
If the application is successful, the trolley bays will be removed and signs at the front of the store taken down. At the back, a new opening would be formed with double steel-clad goods doors.
The application states: “The proposed external alterations will not have a detrimental impact on the visual appearance of the building, neighbouring properties or indeed the surrounding area. The main activity of the Screwfix unit will be the supply of building materials to local builders and related services (e.g. plumbers, electricians and facilities departments to large organisations such as offices, hospitals, hotels, schools and prisons). “Opening hours will be between 7am and 8pm, Monday to Friday (including bank holidays), 7am to 6pm on Saturdays and 9am to 4pm on Sundays. The early and late opening is required to serve tradesmen.
“The business will employ 12 members of staff on the premises, four of which will be full time employed, and an average of three urban trailers will visit the site in a normal working week.”
The application concludes: “Screwfix Direct Limited would make a positive contribution to the commercial and community life of the area providing essential trade counter services to local businesses including plumbers, electricians, builders and facilities departments to large organisations. As such, we conclude that the proposed subdivision and part change of use of the premises is entirely appropriate in planning policy terms.”