Former Betting Shop Could Be Transformed Into Retail Store

A former betting shop in an Isle of Wight town centre could be transformed into a retail store.

Mr P Sivarasa made a change of use application to turn a vacant unit at 55 High Street in Sandown, formerly home to a branch of Ladbrokes, into a ‘food and vegetable’ shop.

A submitted Planning Statement said the proposal would result in an ‘increase in retail employment for the benefit of the local community’, offering a ‘wide range of products to serve the Sandown area’.

“The applicant is experienced in the field of retail and is currently running retail shops,” a Design and Access Statement said.

“The proposal will be entirely located within the unit with no external alterations in appearance.”

Plans show the property would be ‘basically untouched’ apart from a ‘lining out’ of its interior walls and the installation of display shelving and a counter.

County Hall’s public consultation ends on May 19 and a decision is scheduled for June 9.