Proposals which would have allowed a Crewe town centre chain store to relocate to the town's retail park - have been refused by Cheshire East.

Holland & Barrett, Victoria Street, was refused permission to move into the former Bella Italia unit, Grand Junction Retail Park on Monday (February 6).

The former restaurant chain's unit would have been split into two - occupying Holland & Barrett and an 'unknown operator' (cafe/sandwich shop).

Holland & Barrett says its Victoria Street unit no longer meets the companies requirements (Ryan Parker).

These plans were originally submitted in January 2022 - objected by Crewe Town Council.

Crewe town councillors feared this application could further damage the town centre - as well as retail and leisure plans for Crewe's Royal Arcade regeneration scheme.

The application's case officer was also unhappy with the proposals - believing Holland & Barrett's relocation would negatively impact Crewe town centre.

A statement read: "The proposed development would result in the subdivision of an existing unit within the Retail Park to form two smaller units.

"One of which would be occupied by Holland & Barrett, who would relocate from Crewe town centre and the second would be an unknown operator.

"There is a large number of vacancies within the town centre and there are sequential preferable sites.

The former Bellia Italia unit would have been split into two - occupying Holland & Barrett and an unknown food operator (Cheshire East Planning).

"The case put forward by the applicant is not accepted and the proposal would fail the sequential test."

Bella Italia closed its Grand Junction Retail Park store in July 2020 - after Casual Dining Group went into administration.

The adjacent unit, previously occupied by restaurant chains Chiquito and Burger Priest, is also vacant.

The case officer added: "There would be no harm in terms of amenity, design or highway implications.

"There would be some economic benefits, but these would not outweigh the failure of the sequential test."

Holland & Barrett says its Victoria Street unit no longer meets the companies requirements.

Holland & Barrett has been encouraged to look for larger available Crewe town centre units (Ryan Parker).

The health food shop has been encouraged to look for larger available Crewe town centre units.

Cheshire East planning decisions for a proposed PureGym and Matalan on Crewe's Grand Junction Retail Park are expected soon.

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