Shoppers in Sutton-in-Ashfield say the town would benefit from new plans proposed to redevelop the former YMCA building in Sutton-in-Ashfield. The building, on Low Street in the town centre, is proposed to be redeveloped into two commercial units, as well as have four apartments on the upper floors.
The plans involve two apartments on the existing first floor, and a second floor to have another two apartments. Shoppers are excited about the plans and say the town needs to fill the empty shops.
Lisa-Jayne Stout, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, said that people have to travel elsewhere to shop and would like to see more branded shops fill the empty units. The 38-year-old housewife said: “In terms of shops, I would like to see a more, higher range. We do need higher, better quality shops.
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"We have nothing here, we have to go to Nottingham or Mansfield. It is mainly comprises of takeaways and hairdressers, we’ve not got much. We have to just go to Mansfield for any little things. They’ve just had a new Taco Bell, bring Taco Bell here, bring things to us.
Lisa-Jayne added: “There’s no toy shops for kids, only pound shops. You want to go to Smiths Toys in Mansfield. People might want to buy them something proper. More brands come into town, that's what people want. There’s a lot of empty shops. We need to fill up the empty shops.”
Another shopper, Robert Bullimore, 74, from Sutton in Ashfield, said that he approves of the plans for the apartments as people need somewhere to live. The 74-year-old said: “It’s all barbers down here and takeaways.
“This used to be the YMCA, they moved. Most of these here are flats about. Well, we’ve got the precinct, with clothes and everything that is there. Mr Bullimore added: “The new development, I have no objections to that they change it to flats. People have to have somewhere to live.”
Another shopper who didn’t want to be named said that they would like to see better shops. They said: “We definitely need better shops. A quality shoe shop, you can’t get a decent pair of shoes. It’s clothes shops, better shops. It’s whether people are prepared to pay for them. I think it would benefit the town, certainly nicer shops.”
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