Campaigners in a posh city are furious over fears an empty shop in a street made famous by Jane Austen is about to be turned into a Greggs.
The historic Milsom Street in Bath dates back to the 18th century and is mentioned in Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.
It is regarded as the city’s ‘most prestigious shopping street’ and near where the famous author lived during her time in the Somerset city.
Grade II-listed premises at number 36 Milsom Street on the street has stood empty for 15 months.
The historic Milsom Street in Bath dates back to the 18th century and is mentioned in Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Pictured: The Prince of Wales opening the Highgrove store in 2010
Bath and North East Somerset Council has now approved an application to run the site as a ‘restaurant or cafe’.
It says the decision follows 15 months of no serious interest from anyone wanting to open it as a shop.
But local civic campaigners fear Greggs is about to move in – which they say would be an ‘inappropriate’ business for the famous road.
Campaign groups including Bath Watchdog and Bath Preservation Trust have objected saying they have fears for the road’s reputation.
In a council report, Bath Preservation Trust said: ‘Milsom Street is a primary shopping street and has a distinct character as such.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has now approved an application to run the site as a ‘restaurant or cafe’. Pictured: The Prince of Wales opening the Highgrove store in 2010
A Grade II-listed premises at number 36 Milsom Street on the street has stood empty for 15 months
But local civic campaigners fear Greggs is about to move in – which they say would be an ‘inappropriate’ business for the famous road
‘This character is underpinned by the historic use of the street as a shopping centre and therefore the shopping use is part of its special historic interest.
‘The proposal to include an A3 use is in our view inappropriate and unwanted and would harm the special historic interest detailed above.
‘An A3 use could lead to legitimate but inappropriate food businesses within what is Bath’s most prestigious shopping street.
‘Moreover, following a change of use there would be no control over the type of food business (Greggs?) to lease the space.’
And Bath Watchdog said: ‘Milsom Street was built as one of Bath’s grand setpieces.
Approving the application for a ‘restaurant and cafe’ outlet, B&NES Council planning officers said: ‘The unit is currently vacant and has a deadening effect on the street.’ Pictured: A Jane Austen festival in bath which saw Regency fans in full dress walk through Milsom Street
‘It has always been one of the busiest, most popular and prestigious shopping streets in the city.
‘Mentioned by literary greats, it has always been ‘the’ quality shopping destination in Bath.
‘It will not take much more for the reputation of a shopping destination to disappear, something that will be long regretted.’
Approving the application for a ‘restaurant and cafe’ outlet, B&NES Council planning officers said: ‘The unit is currently vacant and has a deadening effect on the street.
‘This has a negative impact on the conservation area as well as harming the character of the listed building.
‘Allowing a new use in this building will help to preserve and enhance both the listed asset and the conservation area.’
Despite the fears it appears that there are as yet no specific plans for a Greggs at the 36 Milson Street site. Pictured: The historic street from the air
According to the application, Milsom Street was developed between 1761 and 1783. Initially purely residential, ground floor rooms were being converted for retail as early as 1803
The plans have divided opinion amongst residents – whilst some agree that a restaurant like Greggs would be ‘totally inappropriate’, others have mocked them for ‘snobbery’.
Veronica Wardell responded to the news writing: ‘Totally and utterly inappropriate. Bath dumbing down.’
Teresa Fowler added: ‘There are enough branches of Greggs.
‘If we allow the whole of Bath to have the same shops as every other town/city, what is going to keep people coming here?
‘I am pretty sure they didn’t travel all this way to get a pasty at Greggs.’
And Shaun Uphill wrote: ‘All the council needs to do is reduce rents and support local businesses that want to come to Bath.’
But Laura Huggins posted: ‘These snobby Bathonians need a reality check.’
And Dave Williams clearly saw the funny side of the situation, writing: ‘Snobbery, they might get council house tenants shopping in Milsom Street, whatever next.’
Planning officers added that a restaurant is a more commercially viable option for the premises and will promote more vitality and activity in the area, where there is still a good mix of uses.
According to the application, Milsom Street was developed between 1761 and 1783.
Initially purely residential, ground floor rooms were being converted for retail as early as 1803.
Despite the fears it appears that there are as yet no specific plans for a Greggs at the 36 Milson Street site.
Greggs did not wish to comment when asked.