Screwfix Direct has revealed its intention to open a new trade counter in Stoke-on-Trent, creating jobs.
The company is looking to open a unit at Sneyd Hill Industrial Estate, in Burslem, and has applied to Stoke-on-Trent City Council to vary a planning permission condition which states the premises shall not be used for the retail sale of goods to the public because the premises are in an area allocated for industrial purposes.
Screwfix wants the condition varied to allow for ancillary retail sale of goods associated with primary storage and distribution use (Class B8).
Its application documents state that its sales counter areas are typically no larger than 12 per cent of the floor space of a unit and that various other local authorities have deemed Screwfix Direct to fall within Class B8 use.
A report reads: “It is by no means unusual for businesses involved in the distribution of goods to include a trade counter, where customers can call personally and buy what they need. The size of the trade counter will be small, both in itself and by comparison with the whole of the premises.
“The purpose of the Screwfix operation at Sneyd Hill Industrial Estate will be to serve the jobbing builder providing building materials which it would not be appropriate to stock in an industrial location.
“In addition to the inherent sustainability benefits of occupying and bringing an existing building back into productive use within a sustainable location, by virtue of the proposal, Screwfix Direct Limited will employ 12 members of staff on the premises, 4 of which will be full time employed. It will also help minimise commercial vehicle journey miles and congestion by providing building products in an easily accessible location.”
The unit was previously occupied by Supply2Trade, which has now moved to Sandbach Road, Cobridge, in Stoke-on-Trent.
A decision on the application is expected in the coming weeks.
