Members of the Community Council and County Councillors this week met with representatives of the Co-op who have told us that they would like to open a store in the village.

Their plan is to build a 4,000 sq ft community store between the Millstone pub and the Millstone playground.

A view of the whole site showing the car parking at the rear.

The new store will create 5 full time and 17 part-time jobs.

An additional shop has been requested by many residents over the the past few years and for those who struggle to get in and out of the village on public transport, the additional choice would be welcome. The location is central for many too.

The retail professional’s view is that a community of our size should have more retail capacity than that offered by the Spar alone. In other communities it is not uncommon for two retailers to operate successfully serving the same community.

The developers have positioned the entrance as far from the children’s play area entrance as possible. They have also proposed a footpath link between the Millstone and the play area behind the car park.

The frontage of the store onto Hawarden Road has been designed to fit in with the local brick and slate appearance of the Millstone pub and Youth Club / Community Centre, with the main access for shoppers from within the site.

There are 14 car parking spaces, including 2 disabled, within the site. Loading is from the rear and we have been assured that Co-op do not deliver to community stores in articulated vehicles.

The developer will need to complete a traffic impact assessment as part of their planning application and that will help everyone to understand how the entrance and vehicle movements might impact the nearby residents and other road users.

There is no requirement for a public consultation, but the developers have approached both the Community Council and County Councillors and in turn we are asking the community what they think.

Rear view showing car parking and loading door as viewed from the vehicle turning area.

The next stage is for the developers to finalise their planning application and submit the scheme for planning application. Residents will have an opportunity to comment in support or object at that time formally. The application is expected early in the new year and, if approved, the store could be open before the end of 2019.

What do you think of it?

New Co-op for Penyffordd?