Empty shop may switch from beds to bathrooms
A VACANT shop could soon be brought back to life.
Plans have been lodged to turn the former John Riley carpet and bed shop, in Fountain Street, Leek, into a bathroom and tile shop.
The application to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council by Mr C Morrison, involves demolishing a rear single extension and changing the frontage.
A design and access statement on behalf of the applicant reads: “The building is at the end of a row of shops known as The Cawdry
Buildings which predominantly have the appearance of a terracestyle house with shop windows on the ground floor frontage and living accommodation above.
“Number 14 departs from the terrace style frontage. The street scene is presented with a gable frontage inside of the eaves, resulting with the roof being perpendicular to the street, rather than parallel, as its neighbours.
“The property was previously used for carpet and bed sales. The interior of the property is a largely open-plan, warehouse-style building.”
If given the go-ahead, the rear would be used as a showroom with the shop at the front. The front would be painted blue and new signs reading “Moorlands Tile & Bathroom Co. Ltd”installed.
The document continues: “The proposal is to partially remove the steel roofed structure at the rear of the building, to create more outdoor space for a yard, and the renovation of the interior to produce a showroom for the products inside the shop. With the alterations to the rear, there will be a change to the front, with signage changed from green to magpie blue and larger windows and entrance to mimic the appearance of the neighbouring shop fronts.
“The rear single storey part of the building will be reduced by one quarter, keeping the large open plan space with the addition of outdoor space. The demolition of the rear section will allow much greater use of
the building for customers providing fire safety and means of alternative escape via the new door.
“The change of appearance to the front of the shop will attract more customers and improve the overall look of the street.”
A decision is expected by planners within the next two months.