Business owner ordered to change his shopfront back after row with council

A row between a business owner and the council has ended in him having to change his shop back to the way it was – costing him thousands.

Chris Daly, who owns Peeco Ltd in neighbouring Middleton, was refused planning permission from the council to transform his shopfront back in January after he had already done the work.

He said that he was being harshly treated by the local authority in Rochdale after spending thousands of pounds on the window and door showroom.

Now, following an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, it looks like he will have to spend thousands more to put it back to the way it was.

This is because he did not apply for planning permission initially for the change, and was later refused retrospective permission – a decision the Planning Inspectorate upheld.

But Chris claims he has been told by local business owners, customers and locals in the area that the work he has done has actually improved the street scene. 

“It’s absolutely ridiculous isn’t it,” the 41-year-old said.

“I am not giving up on this.

“It would cost around £20,000 to put it back to how it was before.

"They (the council) mentioned my lights, it’s getting darker now but it’s not like my lights are really bright – it’s just a nice glow of the shop.

“People who’ve walked past say it looks better now than it did before.

"But the council wants it gone.

“Just up the street on the main road a property was given planning permission to become a wine bar/restaurant.

"They were allowed to have chairs and tables outside with bifold doors in a residential area (like my shop).

“Why are they given all that but they’re refusing me.”

The big changes made to the shop front was the removal of the shutters and the indented entrance.

Back in January Chris explained that the ordeal has left him constantly feeling stressed and concerned about the future of his business.

This stress has only gotten worse in the last eight months waiting on the appeal decision – which landed on September 11.

He said he was going to take on new staff this year but the possible cost of having to change his shop again has stopped him, Chris claimed.

Taking into consideration that this could impact a local business financially, the council have stated that they want to ‘work out a solution’ with the Manchester New Road business owner.

A council spokesperson said: “The appeal decision was made by the Planning Inspectorate, which is an organisation that is separate from the council.

"We understand the frustrations this will have caused, which is shared by local councillors. 

“At the request of the leader of the council we have contacted the shop owner to see if there is a solution that can be worked out.

"We value our local businesses and know how important they are for our towns and the borough.”

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