Former Devizes clinic may become off-licence (From This Is Wiltshire)

Wine retailer Majestic is planning to open a shop in Devizes.

The firm, which has 192 stores in the UK, said the town had been in its sights for some time and it hopes to build on the site of the former health clinic in New Park Street.

Planning permission has been granted by Wiltshire Council for the clinic to be demolished and for a three-storey building to be built with retail use on the ground floor and seven two-bedroom flats above.

The plans by Northampton-based developer John Beynon involves Majestic occupying the retail space.

Majestic spokesman Jamie Patterson said a legal agreement with the developer was the next step and if that was agreed the store would open next year at the earliest.

Mr Patterson said: “It’s very early stages at the moment. Devizes is classic Majestic territory – it’s got a middle-class customer base and it’s been on our list for a while.”

Annie Fiduca, of New Park Street, objected to the plan. In her letter to Wiltshire Council she said she was concerned about the congestion and pollution in the road, which would increase by customers driving to Majestic, and said it would be better located on a retail estate.

But Ted East, chairman of The Trust for Devizes, said: “The proposed occupant of the retail premises will bring additional purchasing power into the retail areas of Devizes.

“Previous new town premises for Majestic wine merchants tend not to take custom from local supermarkets or other retailers as they cater for a more discerning customer who tends to pay more per unit than the offerings in supermarkets.”

Planning officer Karen Guest said in her decision notice: “It is not considered that the proposed development would result in significantly greater traffic generation than the clinic use that occupied the site and no objection has been raised by the highway authority on this ground.”