Hopes new retail and leisure hub will reinvigorate fortunes of Wrexham town centre

An application has been put forward to redevelop a group of shops along Hope Street, Queen Street, Argyle Road and Rhosddu Road.

The Chapter Court scheme would see a mixture of stores and restaurants established on the ground floor with offices and bars above them.

An application has been put forward to redevelop a group of shops in Wrexham town centre as part of a new scheme known as Chapter Court. Source: TBE (Southern) Limited

The development would be focused around a courtyard area set up behind Wrexham Enterprise Hub to host outdoor events.

The heart of the town has been hit by the withdrawal of a number of major retailers in the last decade, but the company behind the proposals said it was aiming to draw them back.

In a planning statement, agents acting on behalf of TBE (Southern) Limited said: “The applicant site has seen a down turn in recent years, with lots of retailers moving out of the area to the new Eagles Meadow shopping complex in another area of the town.

“This area also competes with other retail parks near to town which offer customers the convenience of free parking, longer opening hours and shops all-under one roof.

“Chapter Court aims to attract national high street retailers back to the original end of town, but also attract smaller, more independent local businesses to create a micro retailing hub for Wrexham.

“Along with go-to places to eat and drink and with the development of the court yard that can host year round events will offer customers a new, cultural shopping and leisure experience giving them a reason for return visits.

“Our vision is to establish the town centre as a thriving destination by encouraging a wider diversity of uses.”

The proposals include the introduction of three new entrances off Hope Street, Queen Street and Rhosddu Road to draw visitors into the development.

The company said it had been inspired by schemes in other parts of the UK, including Camden Market in London and the Custard Factory in Birmingham.

The plans have been backed by Grosvenor councillor Marc Jones, whose ward the shops fall under.

An application has been put forward to redevelop a group of shops in Wrexham town centre as part of a new scheme known as Chapter Court. Image above and below: Liam Randall (Local Democracy Reporter)

He said: “I’m supportive and it will help bring people into the town centre, offering new food, drink and entertainment options.

“Coupled with the new bars opening as well as good news from Techniquest, I think 2020 is shaping up to be a very positive year for our town centre.”

The application will be considered by Wrexham Council at a future date.