Yahoo News Former Boots pharmacy in Moulsham Street set to become wine and convenience store
A former Boots pharmacy unit is set to become a wine and convenience store in the heart of an Essex city. The unit in Moulsham Street, Chelmsford has stood bare since the summer of 2023 when the pharmacy closed.
The pharmacy fell victim to the mass closures by the health and beauty retailer in June 2023 as it shut 245 branches as part of sweeping plans to close 300 stores. The chain said it was focusing on shutting venues that were in "close proximity to each other".
A Boots with an internal pharmacy still operates out of High Chelmer Shopping Centre. But now in plans submitted to Chelmsford City Council, a convenience store is set to take over the vacant Moulsham Street building.
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In the plans, drawings of signs including "off licence" and other groceries have been submitted as part of an application for new signage and internal changes. The proposed name of the new store is "Moulsham Wine", according to the documents.
The application was submitted in the first week of June and has not yet been approved. In their application, Advance Architecture said the building was Grade II listed and dates back to the 16th century. The unit is also within the "Moulsham Street Conservation Area" which aims to preserve the buildings' heritage.
Advance Architecture said: "The proposal respects the existing building and its context, which aiming to alter the front fascia signs to an appropriate appearance in respect to the Moulsham Street Conservation Area, within the existing site boundaries. In the conservation area character appraisal of Moulsham Street, it highlights that the listed building is in need of maintenance and with this proposal the shopfront with the proposed fascia signs will benefit from maintenance whilst preserving the building.
"The proposal will improve the shopfront appearance and will meet all current commercial design standards in the conservation area, being in line with the local planning policies and causing no negative interference to the occupants or the neighbourhood."
