Variety retailer Home Bargains has ramped up their plans to take on the former Matalan store in Ayr.
The company owners, TJ Morris Ltd, based in Liverpool, has applied for five ‘Home Bargains’ signs to be erected around the store, which has been lying vacant since Matalan moved out last year.
And in a surprise twist, one sign reads ’Cafe at Home Bargains’ which could well add a different dimension to the retailer’s offering in Parkhouse Street.
The only other cafe in Home Bargains’ chain of stores in Scotland is currently in Livingston. So far the company has 19 cafes dotted around the UK.
The option to shop online and enjoy home delivery are also promoted in some of the signs.
The planning application, on behalf of TJ Morris Ltd, seeks planning permission for proposed signs, graphics and illumination.
It is currently listed as ‘pending consideration’ on South Ayrshire Council’s online planning portal and a decision on them is expected in mid-March.
In February last year, Ayrshire Live exclusively revealed how Home Bargains unveiled plans to move into the Matalan site- after Matalan announced they were unable to secure a new lease at the site.
TJ Morris Ltd, the site owners, then announced proposals for “external alterations” to the unit on the north, south, east, and west elevations. This was previously approved by council planners and now the next step is to secure permission for the signage.
Home Bargains already has a presence in Ayr, with a retail outlet at Heathfield Retail Park.