Ulverston shops plan ruling (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Ulverston shops plan ruling

3:20pm Wednesday 1st August 2012 in Cumbria news By Steven Bell, Senior Reporter

NEW shops and jobs are heading to Ulverston’s former Heron Glass building after planners approved redevelopment.

The building will be divided into two retail units incorporating a garden centre.

It will also house West Cumberland Farmers, which sells agricultural, animal and garden products, and outdoor specialists Mountain Warehouse.

The vacant site, part of The Lakes Glass Centre which includes Cumbria Crystal, is next to Booths, which owns the building.

But the scheme, set to create 20 jobs, has not been welcomed by town centre traders who fear it will deter shoppers from visiting the town centre.

Booths property director Graham Booth said: “We very much look forward to welcoming more quality companies to the site to share the large existing car park and to support the offering of our Ulverston store.

"We will be meeting the interested parties soon to further discuss the redevelopment of the site.”

The company amended its scheme to remove a third retail unit, but traders are still concerned.

Ulverston Traders Association chairman Ralph Spours said the decision was ‘appalling’.

“We hope it doesn’t create a precedent for retail on the Canal Head site,” said Mr Spours.

“We already have a mountain shop in Ulverston.

“If somebody wants to have another retail business we have empty shops they could accommodate. This will impact the town centre.”