Restaurant plans approved for empty shop unit

An empty shop which was causing "concern" to residents can now be turned into a restaurant with new homes also planned, a council says.

The former M&Co shop, in Godalming's High Street, has been empty since the store closed in 2021.

On Wednesday the council's planning committee approved an application for a restaurant at the front of the building, while the back will be partially demolished to make space for new homes.

Waverley Borough Council said the vacant shop was "causing residents much concern" and that the authority planned to "breathe new life" into the unit.

The council bought the site in May 2022, and in April this year signed a contract with Loungers PLC, the owner of Lounges restaurants.

Paul Follows, the council's leader, said officers would now work on the project’s next phase, developing plans for up to 10 new affordable homes.

He said the homes would be high-quality, energy-efficient and designed sympathetically to the surrounding area.

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