Jobs boost hopes as Cleobury Mortimer shop bid resurrected
Plans to redevelop a convenience store and petrol station as part of an expansion project to create at least 10 new jobs look set to be resurrected.
The Harry Tuffins store and petrol station in Cleobury Mortimer's High Street could be demolished to make way for a larger 5,000 sq ft store, a new petrol shop and improved parking facilities.
The plans were approved almost three years ago, but now agents acting on behalf of the supermarket chain have applied to renew planning consent which is due to lapse shortly.
Bosses at the firm had initially pledged to create at least five full time and five part time jobs through the expansion and said they hoped the new facilities would encourage more people from across south Shropshire and neighbouring Worcestershire to visit the town and spend money in local shops.
The Harry Tuffins group, which has 10 stores across Shropshire, Mid and North Wales and Gloucestershire, was bought by the Midcounties Co-operative earlier this year.
No-one from the Midcounties Co-operative was available to comment and it is not yet known what timescale there is for work to be carried out.
A report submitted with the original plans claimed the existing buildings at West End Garage were an 'eyesore' and would be replaced by a more 'aesthetically pleasing' store.
It said: "This proposal will provide new and improved shopping provision enabling far more shopping trips to take place locally, and hence more sustainably."
The report also claimed there was a need for the store to expand, saying the town was only served by small convenience stores and no major supermarkets.
Shropshire Council hopes to make a decision on the application for Cleobury by the new year and local residents have until November 2 to comment on the proposals.
