£500,000 bid announced by county store

A Shropshire supermarket today announced a £500,000 improvement scheme including on-site accommodation for staff. The project is at Harry Tuffins, in Craven Arms.

The plans would see a two-storey outbuilding converted into 12 single bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, communal lounges, dining areas and kitchens.

Another outbuilding would become a two-bedroom apartment and the plans also include a wood chip burner to heat the store, a car wash, an expanded car park, a garden centre area and improvements to the look of the building.

Shropshire Council is due to consider the plans, which are recommended for approval subject to conditions, at a meeting on Tuesday.

The chain, which has branches across south Shropshire and Mid Wales, already provides some accommodation for workers at its Churchstoke and Knighton stores.

Paul Delves, managing director of Tuffins, said: "It's very useful to have the option of accommodation if you want to bring people in or retain local people who might be struggling for accommodation."

Craven Arms Town Council says it strongly backs the scheme as it would support local employment.

But residents living nearby say it would cause noise pollution, particularly at night. They have objected to the extended car park plans, saying that if the barriers were left open at night, this could allow reckless driving to take place.