Compton Care cafe plan for former hardware store approved
Compton Care is to open a new cafe and shop on the premises of a former hardware store in the city centre.
The charity has been given the go-ahead to take over the site vacated by Wilko on St Georges Parade, adjacent to Snow Hill.
The retail giant has relocated to the Mander Centre, reopening its new store in Dudley Street in November last year.
Suzanne Cumming, head of retail for Compton Care, said: “We are delighted that our application to acquire the former Wilko unit has been approved.
“This exciting development moves us one step closer to our long-awaited return to Wolverhampton city centre with a new flagship retail store and cafe that will help to raise vital income to fund care for people living with complex and incurable illnesses.
“The current Covid-19 pandemic means we are facing difficult times as a charity with the temporary closure of our charity shops and cancellation of fundraising events resulting in a loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of income.
“We are working with all of the relevant parties to negotiate and determine how we move our retail plus superstore project forward and look forward to sharing more information in the coming months,” she added.
In a design and access statement sent to council planners, agents Thorne Architecture Limited said the building, originally constructed in the 1980s, would be fully refurbished internally allowing the cafe area to cater for approximately 65 covers.
Due to the Covd-19 lockdown, an official opening date for the new premises has not yet been established.
