Retail space and HMO planned for former city centre bakery

A former city centre bakery and sandwich shop could soon be converted into retail space and house of multiple occupation (HMO).

An application has been submitted to Wrexham Council proposing a change of use for the former Chatwins, on High Street.

The former bakery has sat empty since June 2022 after a decision was made to ‘cease trading with immediate effect’.

In a statement released at the time by Chatwins, which had occupied the High Street unit for nine years, the company said the decision to close had been made after a “disturbing incident” at the Wrexham branch.

Now plans have been put forward to convert the ground floor into retail space with a nine bedroom HMO based on the upper floors.

Along with the commercial use on the ground floor it is also proposed that it is used to provide an entrance foyer, bin storage, metre room and commercial office/retail space access.

On the first floor it is proposed that one double bedroom with an ensuite is created, along with a shared living room and kitchen and dining space.

A further two double bedrooms with ensuite facilities and two single rooms, with a shared bathroom and laundry space are planned for the second floor.

Two double bedrooms, two single rooms – each with ensuite facilities will be created on the third floor.

The applicants say: “The architectural design / character of the proposed change of use is to form a mixed use scheme, with commercial use at ground floor, and a House of Multiple Occupancy above.

“There are limited alterations to the fabric of the building and the scheme maintains the scale and mass of the original property.

“The remodelled property, as proposed, provides three floors of accommodation, ground, first and second behind the retained façade.

“Fronting the high street, it is intended to retain a commercial use class at ground floor and this measures circa 65SqM.

“The refurbished proposal aside from the ground floor commercial offering, is intended for HMO use. The extents of this use covers a limited access area at ground, fronting High Street, and all floors above.

“The internal accommodation as proposed, provides spacious well-proportioned accommodation for modern living.”

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