Go-ahead for retailer to expand out-of-town store

A retailer has been given the go-ahead to expand its store just outside Scarborough as part of plans to close its site in the town centre.

In its application, Next said it was closing its premises in the Brunswick Centre and instead wanted to expand its other site on Seamer Road into a vacant unit.

The scheme would include a new internal mezzanine of around 3,230 sq ft (300 sq m) which would be used for both trading and stockroom purposes and it would accommodate a sales area, the firm said.

The application was approved subject to conditions by North Yorkshire Council.

Next had sought permission to expand its "Home" store on Seamer Road into a currently vacant unit previously occupied by Magnet Kitchens.

The firm said it was "keen to continue trading within Scarborough", and plans submitted to the council stated that the consolidation of the business's offer in Scarborough into a single location would enable the company to maintain its long-term presence in the town.

A highway assessment noted there would be "a maximum of 21 additional movements in any one hour associated with the increased floorspace".

The applicant said an additional parking demand of five vehicles could be accommodated by its existing parking spaces, which "continue to be adequate to serve the retail park".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, no objections were raised by the Highway Authority, nor were any objections received from members of the public.

Planning officers said the design of the shopfront was considered "appropriate in the context of the modern retail park and would complement this style of unit".

The retailer previously said its premises in the Brunswick Centre was on a "rolling lease with a three-month notice of termination".

It added that the centre's owners, Scarborough Group International, had "indicated they expect to serve notice soon in order to progress with their redevelopment plans".

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