Drive-thru coffee shop plans submitted for Wrexham retail park

A new drive-thru coffee shop could soon be built on a Wrexham retail park.

An application has been submitted to Wrexham Council proposing that a Costa Coffee is constructed on Border Retail Park.

Plans show that the drive-thru facility would be built on a section of ‘underused car park’ which sits adjacent to the Tesco car wash facility.

This would lead to the loss of 31 spaces for the retail park, which is also home to B&M, Jolleys pet shop, a drive-thru Burger King and Wickes.

However the applicants say that the plans have been put forward after a “general need within the area, which has been identified by retailers who are looking for these types of retail units, with the associated and required infrastructure to facilitate its successful operation such as car parking and access.”

If approved the drive-thru could create 15 full/part time jobs with flexible shift patterns.

The proposed operating hours for the coffee shop would be between 5am and 11pm, seven days a week.

In a planning statement, the applicants say: “The unit has been positioned as discreetly as possible, in the corner and edge of the retail unit as to not impact the current operation of the existing retail unit.

“The position and siting also ensure adequate room for vehicles to enter and leave the existing car park without the need to redesign the entrance.

“The proposed unit would occupy a small area which is currently designated as parking however there is considered to be sufficient enough parking within the existing retail unit to accommodate the current and future needs.”

In terms of the design of the drive-thru the applicants state that the proposed new unit would be 1,800 sqft and of similar height to the nearby Burger King drive-thru.

They add that the “proposed development is in keeping with the local townscape and would have no impact upon the character and appearance of the local area.”

The existing vehicular and pedestrian access to the Border Retail Park would remain the same.

The applicants conclude: “The proposed development comprises the erection of a new freestanding coffee shop with a drive thru facility, within an existing retail park at Border Retail Park, which is considered an appropriate and sustainable location for economic development.

“Careful consideration has been taken through the design process of the proposal, the scheme has regard to the specific characteristics of the sites context and its wider context.

“The character and appearance of the surrounding area is not considered to be adversely affected and the proposal is appropriate for the site and constraints.

“The proposed unit is considered to respond positively in terms of scale, massing, height and materials while respecting nearby buildings and having regard to its setting.

“The unit would directly benefit the local economy through the provision of existing and growing employment, providing a boost to the local economy and surrounding area through both the construction and operational phases of its lifetime.

“It is considered that the proposed units scale, massing and use is suitable for its location within the context of the existing and nearby surrounding retail park setting.

“The unit is considered to be an acceptable form of development which is consistent with its surrounding area, it would not have an unacceptable or detrimental impact on any material planning consideration which cannot be overcome by the use of conditions.

“It is therefore respectfully requested that the application is approved. In the event that Wrexham County Borough Council do not agree with this view, the applicant would seek to engage proactively with the authority to secure a solution.”

The application will be considered for approval by Wrexham Council at a later date.