New Wiltshire pet store could be built under plans

Maybrook Properties has lodged a proposal to build a new store at the Enterprise Centre on Nursteed Trading Estate in Devizes.

This planned retail unit does not have a confirmed occupant at this stage, but it is intended that it will be used by Pets Corner, a specialist pet retailer with over 160 branches in the UK.

Alder King Property Consultants, which is acting as an agent on behalf of the applicant, says advanced discussions are being held with the retailer.

Pets Corner stocks pet food and other pet-related products but does not sell live animals.

The chain has stores in Marlborough, Melksham, Trowbridge, Salisbury, and Swindon.

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Maybrook Properties Limited (Image: Maybrook Properties Limited)

If approved, the plans would see a 249sq metre store constructed on the corner of Nursteed Road and Mill Road alongside 12 parking spaces, bin storage, and landscaping and planting.

The proposed building could be completed and occupied within 12 months of planning permission.

Whoever occupies the unit would have consent to sell non-food goods.

Alder King says other available sites within Devizes were considered for a new store but were either too large or too small.

These locations included the former Wilko unit on the High Street and The Crown pub on New Park Street, which were both deemed to be unsuitable due to their large floorspace.

Alder King insists that the development would not have a negative impact on the town centre due to a lack of direct competition and the health of the town’s retail scene.

Maybrook Properties Limited (Image: Maybrook Properties Limited)

It added: "Devizes is described in the Wiltshire Core Strategy as a town that has a good range of shopping and recreational facilities.

“Some of the goods that will be sold at the pet store will be available from other retail units within Devizes, including Sainsburys, Morrisons and Rangebourne Pet Care.

“However, the proposed Pets Corner will bring all of the goods to one location (including other unavailable items in these other retail units).

“Devizes is considered to display a good range of shopping facilities and there is no evidence of it being vulnerable to a proposal for a small retail unit for Pets Corner.

“Having regard to the current health of the town centre, lack of trading overlap, in the absence of any in-centre investment that could be impacted upon, it is considered that the proposed store would not have a significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Devizes town centre.”