Ex-Mayor fears “slippery slope” of losing Welshpool shops

Welshpool’s former mayor has waved the red flag that the town is on a “slippery slope” to losing its high street retail space following another application, this time for a change-of-use of a commercial building.

But in a bizarre discussion at its latest Planning meeting, it appears that councillors actually failed to spot that owners Boys & Boden actually want to change the use of the ground floor of 7 Berriew Street to include 'retail' which would allow “greater flexibility” for letting purposes.

The three-story building was last used as a legal practice more than two years ago, but Boys & Boden want to convert the upper two floors into a duplex flat and include A1 (retail) usage for the ground floor which is currently 'commercial' only.

But this appears to have been missed by the councillors who entered a lengthy and misguided discussion about the pros and cons of losing retail space, whereas this application would see the town gain one.

Nevertheless, Cllr Phil Owen took the opportunity to say the town was falling behind the likes of Oswestry when it came to protecting retail space.

Currently, Welshpool is fighting to hold onto the Poundland building for retail, with a decision on whether it can be converted into a gymnasium expected to be made by Powys County Council soon. The Town Council objected to that application last month.

Councillors agreed at the latest Planning meeting to support this new Boys & Boden application, but with a strong message that they should do everything they can to ensure the ground floor ‘remains’ available for retail, which it wasn’t previously anyway.

Cllr Owen warned of the bigger picture, saying: “This is another primary retail space in a principal shopping street in town. It would be a shame to see more residential developments in that area of town. But that will become residential in time, it is a slippery slope.

“Oswestry has retained most of its town centre retail space but Welshpool is losing it exponentially. It is creeping in all along. We must try to retain as much as we can.

“I know times are hard in high streets but we have to try to maintain, as far as we can, commercial use in the town and not residential development.”

Town Mayor, Cllr Bill Rowell, showed support for the application, adding: “That’s the reality. We are like most towns where we have more shops than we can actually fill. I share disappointment of losing retail space but I think this one is something I feel strongly about and backing the proposal.”

Cllr Morag Bailey also backed the plans after warning: “Owners are trying to rent out the shop space but not getting anywhere so they are just trying to do something with it.

“We could end up with empty buildings which are not being invested in. I tend to support the application with a comment we would like them to do anything possible to retain the retail space in the future.”

The Town Council’s comments will be forwarded to Powys County Council to make their final decision on September 13.

What the application by building owners, Boys & Boden, actually states that councillors appear to have missed:

“The existing building is a three-storey and basement property. Currently the property has an A2 use (commercial) but has been vacant for a number of years. We intend to convert the first and second floors into a single duplex flat with its own access off Berriew Street. We wish to retain the ground floor as A2 use but also apply for A1 use (retail) to give us greater flexibility for letting purposes. The proposed flat and existing commercial areas are for rental occupancies.”