Red tape delays new store move
RED tape has delayed plans by a national department store to take over the former Rossiters site in Paignton.
The Original Factory Shop announced in September it was in the final stage of negotiations for the Palace Avenue location.
Today it was revealed a disagreement between Torbay Council buildings inspectors and planners have led to a delay of more than two months in the outlet opening.
The Original Factory Shop marketing director Colin Leggatt explained: "The building inspector told us we had to put in a fire corridor to be legally allowed to trade. But the planners said we couldn't because it is an old building.
"We have resolved the issue with the building inspector today."
A spokesman for Torbay Council said: "Rossiters' building holds an important place in Paignton's history and Torbay Council welcomes this application to bring a new sustainable use to the building.
"The council's development management team is working closely with the architects to ensure the character of this fine historic building is retained in every aspect, including the sensitive design of two fire escapes in the front of the building.
"The council emphasises this application is not yet determined and is subject to our usual stringent planning process."
The Original Factory Shop has stores nationwide specialising in clothing sportswear, football, electricals, housewares, toys and gifts, beauty products and fragrance.
If the deal had been signed in September work on £250,000 of renovations was due to start immediately with a view to the shop being open before Christmas.
The opening date has now been pushed back by around two months.
Mr Leggatt said: "We are too far behind now to be able to open before Christmas.
"I have it down for January but that will be confirmed at a later date."
Mr Leggatt said the paperwork would be signed 'imminently' now the planning issues have been resolved.
He said the agreement to take over the store hadn't been finalised earlier because it is dependent on the Original Factory Shop being able to trade.
10 Comments
by John, Paignton
Thursday, November 05 2009, 7:26PM
“The Original Factory shop makes T.J. Hughes look like Harrods!”
by Bertie, Torquay
Thursday, November 05 2009, 7:04PM
“Colin, Lower Gornal...how is Dudley?
You should know what this shop is about, it is not a store and yes I have visited their shops but have never bought anything because I am a snob, as most of us our.
I read somewhere today that Sir Stuart Rose thinks the nation and shoppers are bust that is why M & S are bringing in branded goods. Why do I say that because this shop group were founded on seconds refused by M & S, but it has gone down market since then.
You wait you will find out what a rubbish shop it is when it opens...don't rush down there though.”
by john, Paignton
Thursday, November 05 2009, 5:30PM
“I do hope this will not be yet another example of jobsworth or nimbys stopping something developing in Torbay that people will actually use? I hope whoever is holding up this store and the employment will get on with it asap otherwise be sacked for stopping something positive in this troubled year.”
by Stan, Torbay
Thursday, November 05 2009, 3:09PM
“Does this mean that Rossiters did not have a "fire corridoor" and were trading illegally all those years?
Pity they won't be open in time for Xmas I could have bought my humbugs there to decorate the tree!.”
by Colin, Lower Gornal
Thursday, November 05 2009, 2:40PM
“There is nothing wrong with "Original Factory Shop" stores, those of you complaining without even knowing what they are like may be pleasantly surprised !...sadly they do not sell ham though but they do a nice line in humbugs for a £1 a bag !”
by mark, torbay
Thursday, November 05 2009, 1:35PM
“I hate shosp that make profit by selling rubish to people at over inflated prices. Thats the only way this town lives by selling garbage at ripp off prices & junk food. It is people like this that don't care about quality. We should care about each other and not money or how much profit we can make by selling some garbage to sombody. People don't realize that it is a big insult to somebody to try and offer them junk and ripp them off.”
by mark, torbay
Thursday, November 05 2009, 1:22PM
“they'll print anything in this paper.”
by Mrs Dixon, Paignton
Thursday, November 05 2009, 12:42PM
“Mrs Dixon (the other one), Gateways do lovely ham, they're in Crossways. I think it's called Co-Op now though.”
by SamSam, Torbay
Thursday, November 05 2009, 12:28PM
“Mrs Dixon you are going back a long way I used to work there....but the sad thing Menzies are no more into newsagencies. My wife used to make the sandwiches and she bought the ham from Liptons in Torquay and made them on the train from Torre to Paignton.”
by Mrs Dixon, Paignton
Thursday, November 05 2009, 11:58AM
“Will they sell ham? I am struggling to find a nice bit of the stuff since John Menzies shut in Paignton.”