Bury News

‘Conversion may damage shops’

10:00am Monday 6th September 2010

WORRIED traders have warned councillors that turning shops into offices could damage Ramsbottom businesses.

A row broke out after a landowner asked Bury Council if he could use his Bolton Street shop for financial and professional services because it has been empty since April.

Some neighbours claim this would be a backwards step, and one trader even says he will consider selling up.

Stephen Entwistle, who owns 12 Bolton Street near the junction of Carr Street, said at the latest meeting of Bury planning committee: “The shop used to be a discount store, but the person who ran it said it could not work because footfall wasn’t high enough.

“We want to get a good long-term tenant and feel getting this change of use will allow us to do that.”

But Cllr Roy Walker said: “This is a designated retail area. What is the point in having that if we are going to allow people to convert their shops into offices?

“It works if 10 per cent of the units are something other than retail, but not when it is 44 per cent, like it would be if we were inclined to approve this application.

“It is a nice area. Visitors go to the steam railway and cafes and Bridge Street. We have got to give them other places to call into.”

Owners of four Bolton Street premises agreed with him.

They include the Chocolate Cafe, Highfield Florists and the Cooks Emporium, who all wrote to the council to object to Mr Entwistle’s proposal.

A report summarising their objections said: “An increase in office accommodation would harm the character of the town and be detrimental to local businesses. The town centre has migrated towards Bridge Street and offices would not help this.

“The town needs more small, diverse, independent retail outlets, which bring more footfall.

“Small independent shops are needed to counter-balance the larger trail outlets.

“Financial and professional services would bring nothing to the town.”

In the report, a Cooks Emporium spokesman said: “As a trader, we would have to reconsider our position in the town if this application is approved.”

Cllr Yvonne Harris said: “Say it becomes a solicitors. People going there would still call in to neighbouring shops.”

Cllr Sam Cohen said: “We have to be sympathetic. Four months of the unit being empty can soon turn into 12 and 18 months.”

The committee voted to grant permission.

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