A DECISION is due to be made on the opening of a new toy superstore which would bring dozens of new jobs and investment into the area.

In November plans were submitted to Barrow Borough Council to convert Apollo Bingo in Hollywood Retail Park into a Smyths Toys store.

The plans state the bingo operator is scheduled to vacate the unit shortly and has agreed to a mutual rolling break in its lease.

The new store will mean the creation of 30 new jobs in the borough, ranging from retail assistants to management positions, with a further 15 temporary positions in the run up to Christmas.

It will also mean a ‘substantial’ capital investment into the town, increased consumer choice and competition and the re-use of a unit which would otherwise become vacant, plans reveal.

The planning committee is set to either refuse or approve the plans at a meeting held on January 17.

According to the planning officer’s report, the proposal has a number of ‘potentially positive’ impacts including investment of a new retailer, retaining the use of a large prominent unit which could potentially become vacant and creating new jobs.

The report states: “It is considered that there will be no adverse impacts on the amenity of neighbouring residents or other land users

“Alongside this is the potential strengthening of Barrow’s role as a subregional centre by creating a 'destination’ bulky goods shopping facility that attracts visitors and expenditure from a relatively wide catchment, with potential linked trip benefits for the town centre.”

READ MORE: Plans for Smyths Toys store to take over Apollo Bingo unit in Barrow

Drawbacks of the plans listed in the officer’s report include the loss of a leisure facility, which provides a ‘safe social space’ for residents, particularly elderly people and the potential for a negative impact on the town centre.

If this application were to be refused, it is highly unlikely that the applicant would seek a Barrow town centre location, the report states.

It reads: “The proposals are considered to be acceptable, but there is greater potential for design improvements. The agent advises that prior to the interest from Smyths Toys, the applicant unsuccessfully marketed the unit to a range of other large format operators for a period of 18 months.

“Most of the large format retailers and leisure operators are already represented in the town’s retail parks and other potential users approached by the applicant were unwilling to trade from Barrow due to the population size and/or the nature of the catchment. It seems clear that should the application be refused, this would not lead to the applicant taking on an empty unit in the town centre, but that they would simply be lost to Barrow and an empty unit could result.”

The report also asserts that the plans would not have a significantly adverse impact on the vitality or viability of the town centre and an out-of-town location can be accepted.

Overall, the planning officer concluded the proposal was a sustainable development and recommended the committee approved the plans subject to some amendments.