Chamber backs town centre plans

Most Oswestry traders are against a new complex, the chamber said

A Shropshire chamber of trade has given its support for plans to develop a town centre-based supermarket and cinema complex against most trader's wishes.

J R Ross Development has submitted plans to revamp a retail complex in the centre of Oswestry market town.

Oswestry Chamber of Trade said it would support the complex if there was a need for it because out-of-town retail parks could reduce the town centre's trade.

But it said it would prefer firms to move into existing retail spaces.

'No mistake'

The scheme submitted by J R Ross Developments is one of four rival proposals due to go before Shropshire Council's strategic planning committee within the next few months.

The other out-of-town schemes involve the redevelopment of the Smithfield Livestock Market on Shrewsbury Road, Richard Burbidge and J.T. Hughes & Guttercrest sites.

Chamber chairman Yossi Glicksman said: "Retailers are particularly concerned about what has happened in Ellesmere and Wrexham, where out-of-town proposals have taken people away from the town centre resulting in a growing number of empty units.

"We don't want to make the same mistake."

Mr Glickman said the majority of traders' first choice was to see capital investments from individual businesses and local government funding for the indoor and outdoor markets.