A shopping precinct in St Albans city centre which hopes to attract more shoppers is awaiting a council decision upon its bid to revamp a store at its entrance.
DLA Town Planning has asked for approval to replace the shopfront of the recently vacated Millets store at the entrance to Christopher Place and make external alterations to the first and second floors at No 19-21 French Row.
Consultation upon a minor scheme to revamp the store near the main entrance to Christopher Place has now ended, with St Albans district council to decide whether to give the conservation area application consent.
In its submission, DLA described Christopher Place as being in a “premier” retail area in St Albans.
But it goes on: “The existing shopfront makes little contribution to the conservation area, and does not attract shoppers to this part of the city centre.”
DLA wants approval for a new glass shop front, the removal of Juliette balconies and installation of new windows on the first and second floors.
DLA explained: “This proposal is part of a project by the landowner to improve the appearance of the main entrance to Christopher Place to increase footfall. The existing shop front is unattractive.”
Millets has recently relocated to the Maltings.
A spokeswoman for Christopher Place said the search was still on for a new tenant.
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