'We call it Curry Mile down here' - Families react as butchers axed in favour of a takeaway

A former butchers is being given the 'chop' after plans were approved to turn it into a takeaway.

But the scheme at Woolliscroft Butchers in Bucknall has attracted mixed from residents with some welcoming the business while others citing there are enough fast food oulets.

An application submitted to planners at Stoke-on-Trent City Council said the Werrington Road shop had closed as trade fell significantly after competitors opened nearby.

The report stated: “Woolliscroft Butchers has closed as a retail unit. Since the opening of the Co-operative supermarket (now Asda) and Staffordshire Meat Packers Factory Shop custom declined by more than 75 per cent.

“Senior citizens, who were customers have now died, and have not been replaced by other residents and the shop was only kept open because it was primarily used to prepare meat for sale in another shop owned by the applicant in Cheadle town centre. That is now the focus for the business.

“This current application has been submitted for the only type of use that can be economically viable in this location in the hope it will prevent this unit being empty for too long.

"That would not be good for the vitality of this local centre or residents living around the site who have alternative venues for shopping but not a full range of takeaway premises.”

The applicant owns the shop next door (Butchers Bites) which is now the Shiraz Grill.

The application adds: “The ground floor of this unit could be combined with Butchers Bites to form one takeaway unit or it could be a separate use serving a different type of food. That commercial decision has not been taken yet.

“The loss of the one remaining A1 use (shop and retail outlet) is not going to make a difference to the vitality and viability of this local centre.

“Shopping may be done elsewhere but there is still a need for ‘leisure services’. That includes the public house, the betting shop and the existing A5 uses (hot food takeaways).

“Conversion of the ground floor of this property into an A5 unit (takeaway) will be compatible with these exiting uses and provide further choice for residents wishing to buy hot foot to consume at home.”

The application has received a mixed response from residents living nearby.

Shaun Sentence, aged 48, of Bucknall, welcomed the shop being turned into a takeaway.

He told Stoke-on-TrentLive: “The area could have another takeaway. The only issue is a lack of parking.

“I would rather it be a takeaway than be empty as there are enough empty shops in the locality.”

But pensioner Frank Heath, who lives opposite the shop on Werrington Road, is against the plans.

The 74-year-old, of Werrington Road, Bucknall, said: “I used the butchers since we lived here - 51 years ago.

“I object to it becoming another takeaway. There are too many. We are starting to call the road ‘Curry Mile’. It is the litter the customers throw about after they eat the stuff.

“I would rather the building became a house or flats as I do not want to keep spending my time picking up rubbish.”

Planners approved the scheme this week. A report stated: "Information has been submitted advising that there are on-going negotiations of an anticipated successful lease of the premises as a hot food takeaway.

"Considering the unit has been vacant for 12 months and that there has been no success in acquiring a tenant to open a business for a use falling within the existing A1 retail use, it is considered that the change of use in this specific case to an A5 use is acceptable."

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