Plans by a shop to provide holiday accommodation above its premises in South Cumbria have been given the go-ahead.
Westmorland and Furness Council has given permission for Levens Village Shop to create a first-floor extension to the store on Main Street to provide holiday accommodation to provide additional income to safeguard the business.
Previously plans were refused by Westmorland and Furness Council with a decision notice issued by the authority because the proposed first-floor extension would be unduly prominent due to its flat-roof design.
The new plans omitted the flat-roof design and follow the line of the existing slate roof.
The shop said: “It would not only provide additional employment but also to allow diversification of the core shop business to provide an additional income stream which would help to safeguard the existing shop business and employment.”
The shop currently employs the full-time equivalent of 4.5 people.
The proposals received support from villagers who said the plans would futureproof the shop.
One neighbour said: “The Levens Village shop is a vital local business and has become essential in supporting the village.
“In times of such financial uncertainty diversification of income streams to help support local businesses is unquestionably required.”
Another said: “As you will appreciate, with competition from supermarkets and serious hikes in energy costs, however efficiently one runs a small rural shop it is an increasingly challenging business.
“We are aware that having a holiday flat to augment their shop income would make a considerable difference to them in covering their costs.
“The applicants themselves do so much for Levens and it is in the village’s interests that they do as well as they can here as the community really does rely on their involvement and enthusiasm – and frankly we would hate to lose them.”
