A charity has been given the green light to sell a wider range of goods at a store it plans to open on a Stoke-on-Trent retail park.

The Salvation Army is set to move into a unit on Springfields Retail Park which has been vacant for around four years.

The store was previously occupied by Carpet Right, who stopped trading at the site in 2019. Now it is set to raise vital funds to help the Salvation Army assist vulnerable members of the community, such as those facing homelessness or financial hardship.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's planning committee agreed unanimously on Wednesday to relax a planning condition restricting the range of goods that can be sold at the retail unit. Committee members had previously deferred their decision to seek further details about where larger donations would be dropped off and collected.

Concerns were also raised at last month's meeting about the proposed Trent Vale store's impact on town centre shops and increased traffic at the busy junction with the A34. A report to the committee said that the original planning permission granted for the site allowed the sale of a wide range of bulky goods.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council agreed to relax a planning condition restricting the range of goods that can be sold at the charity shop (Google).

Martin Way, who spoke in support of the application at Wednesday's meeting, told the committee an assessment had found no other suitable locations in the area meeting the charity's requirements. He added: "The reuse of this long-vacant site by a charity receiving support from the community is a positive story.

"We have 40 such stores operating, alongside our 180 smaller shops. Our donation centres are larger than typical High Street stores and designed to receive much-needed donation of larger homewares, such as furniture.

"Most of the sale space will be in line with existing permitted use. This application requires 25% of floorspace changing to allow for the sale of smaller goods typically found in smaller shops.

"Larger items brought to and from the store will benefit from our collection and delivery service, which is provided by employees with vans. They will be parked in marked bays at the rear.

"We will actively discourage pick-up of larger items through the store. On the rare occasion a customer wants to take an item away there will be staff assistance and they must take it from the rear door."

Councillor Ross Irving said the charity "do a magnificent job and are supported by residents". He added: "I think the arrangements the Salvation Army have proposed for the site are acceptable on safety grounds.

"My sole concern is that the junction onto the main A34 will get increased traffic movements. It is quite frankly a nightmare at the best of times; sometimes at peak periods the entire thing grinds to a halt.

"I think we are going to have to say suck it and see. I do not wish to put a stumbling block on the Salvation Army doing what they want to do."

Councillor Dave Evans said: "I think it is good to see a charity expanding their operation to help people. For that reason I support it."

READ MORE: 'For Sale' sign on Stoke's Teletubby Hills prompts concern from local residents 

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