RESIDENTS of Wrexham have largely welcomed the news that a shop which has remained derelict for more than a decade could be purchased by an unlikely investor.

The former Burton store on the corner of Hope Street and High Street in Wrexham town centre could be snapped up by The Church Of Wales as The Diocese of St. Asaph confirmed they are in talks to buy the property.

We spoke to shoppers and residents across the town centre, who were unanimously delighted that the building would finally be put to use, but some disagreed that the church was the best fit for the site.

Keith Bullock, 50, from Wrexham, was one of those in favour of the church, saying how glad he was to see someone take an interest in one of Wrexham's empty stores.

"Well let's be honest, it needs to be used for something and I think the church is a great option to take it on.

"I'm not a church-goer myself, but if they want to buy it and do it up, make something useful of it and help with the regeneration of the town, then there's absolutely no objections from me."

Peter Aubrey, from Holt shared similar sentiments, saying that he believes the church should have a larger presence in Wrexham.

"I think it's a great idea.

"This will help bring the church, and bring Christ into the centre of our community, which I think is very much needed.

"It's an iconic, listed building in this town, and what better place for them to build a community centre then on the high street? I think it's brilliant."

At the Wrexham Town Centre Conservation Area Character Assessment and Management Plan meeting, held on Thursday, February, 7, before news of the purchase broke, the issue of the unused store was mentioned by council officials.

Since then, it has been revealed that plans for the building, which has remained empty since 2008, are to create a new ‘Christian Community’.

However, not everyone believes this is what the town needs, and feel that a new supermarket or retail store would be a better fit for the site.

One of these people is Steve Johnson, 40, from Wrexham, who asked: "How is this going to benefit the town at all?

"Wrexham is a shadow of the town it used to be, and we need to be bringing more shops back to the high street.

"Look at all the empty stores you see in the town, shouldn't that be the focus? I don't see what the point of it is.

Mr. Johnson was not alone in his point of view, as Menna Smith, 43, from Holt, also believed that a retail chain buying the property would have been a better option for the town.

"We need to bring the town centre back to life and one good shop or a supermarket could be the catalyst to attract more people and businesses to come to Wrexham.

"I guess I'm not against the church buying the building and turning it into whatever they like but I just think it would have been better served as some sort of retail shop."

David Jarvis, 59, from Llangollen, said that while he thinks The Diocese of St. Asaph buying the property isn't necessarily a bad thing, he would like them to use it for a different purpose than the proposed plans.

"Wrexham town centre is in complete decline at the moment, and I just think we need to drum up some business in some way.

"Why couldn't the church use the building to open a new cafe, or a charity shop? Give all the money to people who need it?

"They've got the money to fund something like that, and it could of better use."

A spokesperson for The Diocese of St. Asaph told The Leader earlier this week: “The Diocese of St Asaph can confirm that its Board of Finance is in discussions to buy 1, Hope Street in Wrexham, the old Burton’s store.

“The purchase of the building is part of exciting plans to develop a new kind of Christian community within the Church in Wales, in partnership with existing churches.

“As the sale is not yet finalised and further funding is not yet confirmed, we will be providing more details in due course.”

Many of the people we spoke to were just happy that the building will be used at all, regardless of the investor, including Nicholas Walker, 52, from Mancot.

"It's a complete and utter mess really.

"It's decaying, it's rotting, and anything to help improve the high street is a great move in my opinion.

"Wrexham has modernised so much from when I first started coming here twenty years ago, and bringing this building back into use will be a great addition to the town.

Bernedette Leighton, 59, from Wallasey, felt the same way, claiming that she doesn't mind who uses the building, as long as it gets used.

"It doesn't bother me in the slightest who's buying it, it just needs some real work done to it, and now.

"I don't know what the church plans to do with it but as long as they're not out in the streets bible bashing then I don't mind.

"It could be great if the church use it as a meeting centre, or as a place for people to turn to if they need help."