New coffee shop to open in Bayston Hill

Planning permission has been granted to convert an empty shop in Bayston Hill into the cafe and coffee shop.

The former butcher's shop in Lansdowne Road - one of the units commonly known as The Parade - will now be turned into a coffee shop after Shropshire Council's planning team gave the proposals the go-ahead.

The new venture will create three jobs - two full time roles and a single part-time position.

It will be open from 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays. It will be open between 10am and 2pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

In a report granting planning permission for the change of use of the unit, planning case officer Aileen Parry said there had been no objections to the plans.

She said: "Bayston Hill Parish Council has no objections to this change of use proposal on the assumption that the Saturday opening hours are 8am to 6pm rather than 8pm to 6am as they appear on the application form.

"Five neighbours have been consulted and a site notice placed by officers on March 30.

"No public comments have been received at the time of writing this report.

"On a site visit it was noted that the Parade is a busy retail facility within the Bayston Hill area.

"It is felt that by permitting the change of use from A1 (Shops) to A3 (Restaurants and cafes) will not adversely impact the retail operations already sited within the Parade and that the proposal will also provide another benefit and facility for use by the local community."

Dave Matthias, 38, who lives in the village, said the new coffee shop would be a welcome addition to the area.

He said: "Anything that adds to the Parade is a good thing.

"Currently a lot of people travel to the garden centres or retail park for a coffee so having something more local makes a lot of sense, especially with a large school nearby.

"It was a shame to lose the butchers so filling the unit is important."