A retail unit which has sat empty for several years could be brought back into use by a charity.
Salvation Army Trading Company wants to turn the former Carpetright store on Springfields Retail Park, in Stoke-on-Trent, into a donation centre and charity shop selling items such as furniture, electricals, clothing and books.
The organisation currently has smaller charity shop town centre locations in nearby Hanley and Longton, but says there is a gap in this area of the country for a larger bulkier goods centre.
The nearest bulky goods donation facilities for the charity are in Shrewsbury and Lichfield.
The Salvation Army has agreed terms with the landlord to acquire a new lease for the premises on a ‘subject to planning’ deal, which necessitates a variation of goods controls.
It has applied to Stoke-on-Trent City Council asking to modify the wording of one of the conditions attached to planning permission for the building to allow the unit to be used for the sale of a revised range of goods.
A separate planning application asks for permission for various signage to be installed at the site.
A planning and retail assessment submitted with the plans reads: “This proposal is of particular significance as it will result in a retail unit that has been vacant for a significant period being brought back into beneficial use, alongside the additional social, economic, and environmental benefits of The SA’s occupation.”
The document adds that the plans would lead to investment in the local area, the creation of volunteering roles and up to four full-time jobs with further job creations through fitting out, security, repairs and maintenance.
Carpetright left the retail park on Newcastle Road, in Trent Vale, in 2019. According to planning documents, the unit has been marketed extensively since and an offer came from healthcare solutions firm InHealth before it pulled out of the letting due to a territory clash with Nuffield nearby.
