A new food hall is set to open in a north Cumbrian town as a leading agricultural business has been given the go-ahead to expand its site.
Hope’s Auction Co has been given permission to create the food hall and warehouse, plus a business park of three office blocks, on land to the south and east of its auction mart on Sykes Road in Wigton.
The food hall will be a farm shop-type unit with the aim of selling primarily local farming produce.
A retail assessment commissioned by Hope’s said: “Whilst a definitive catchment area in terms of sourcing products is not fully defined, it is anticipated that agricultural business within a 20-mile radius will be approached to provide locally produced products to fill the shop’s shelves.”
The office blocks are expected to accommodate Cumbrian businesses looking to relocate to Wigton and are currently designed to be split into 14 units, but could be used as three large office spaces, or anywhere in between, Hope’s said.
The firm added: “These flexible spaces have been designed to allow diversity of business types within the business park, with the hope of encouraging valuable business connections to be made in relation to other rural type uses.
“The proposed development is based around the nature of the applicants themselves, Hope’s, in order to support and build on their existing rural business.”
The site would have 175 parking spaces.
Craig Brough, of Hope’s, told members of Cumberland Council’s planning committee on Wednesday that his firm had a long association with Wigton – going back to 1897 – and added: “There will be space for rural education and training.”
Councillor Andrew Semple (Cockermouth South, Labour) proposed that they vote in favour of approval because it was important locally and added: “This is a really good example of a well thought through planning application.”
Councillor Tony Markley (Solway Coast, Conservative) said: “I think it’s a fantastic asset for the local rural community.”
Councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems) observed that there was no view expressed by the local parish council and asked for better signs at a junction, rather than changes to the layout, to improve road safety.
When the matter was put to the vote, it was given planning approval unanimously by members.
