Shrewsbury nightclub expansion proposals approved
A nightclub in Shrewsbury has been given the go-ahead to expand to an upper floor – despite fears over the impact of the late night economy.
Members of Shropshire Council's central planning committee agreed to give The Beach, in Hills Lane in the town centre, permission to transform the unused upstairs into another level of the club. The upstairs is currently not in use having previously been office space.
The bar will be allowed to stay open until 4am seven days a week, in line with its licensing permissions.
The scheme sparked fears from town councillor Andrew Bannerman, who represents the Coton Hill and Quarry area of the town.
Councillor Bannerman said there was no proper policy in place for managing the development of late night economy in Shrewsbury.
He said: "The cumulative effect of more and more people at 4am in the morning does clearly have an impact.
"There are side effects of this late night economy."
He added that he feared the town was in danger of losing its "unique character and quality" if the "unlimited development of the late night economy goes on unchecked at a pace".
But councillors ruled there was no reason to turn down the proposal, and heard it could bring a further five jobs to the town.
In a report submitted to members, case officer Jane Raymond said that the town centre is where an "active and thriving late night economy should be promoted".
Members agreed to grant the scheme permission in line with recommendations from the authority's planning officers.
