A LOCAL business man has taken the bull by the horns by seeking town council support for change of use of a prominent High Street retail outlet to offices for insurance brokers.

Convinced that his business would prove an asset by bringing more people to the Crown Hill end of the town, Charles Clark, managing director of Giles Insurance, put forward a case which, he hoped, would convince councillors that the loss of Cozens Fabrics at 9/11 High Street, could be counterbalanced by a non-retail unit.

The presentation last Wednesday followed a refusal in June by East Hampshire planners to grant permission for change of use on policy grounds.

Members of EHDCÕs north planning committee had upturned officer recommendation and voted against the application citing the need to Òretain the vitality and viability of a shopping centre by avoidance of three or more non-retail outlets in a row, or not more than 40 per cent of the street frontage.Ó

Mr Clark felt the judgment to be harsh bearing in mind the number of retail units already standing empty in the town. He pointed out that one of the neighbouring properties which currently carries restaurant use is unoccupied. Furthermore, there was an apparent anomaly between the travel company, Travelbag, which is classified A1, and an insurance broker, such as Giles, which is classified A2.

The existing owner of Cozens Fabrics, he said, was retiring and had been trying to sell the business as a going concern or to sell the freehold for the past five years, but to no avail.

ÒHe is currently having a closing down sale and, if at the end of it, he cannot sell the premises, it will be boarded up for security reasons,Ó said Mr Clark who believes that a thriving insurance business, such as his own, would be a better alternative and would, in fact, encourage passing trade to the benefit of neighbouring retailers.

A company with roots dating back to 1922, Giles Insurance moved to its current location in Lenten Street in 1970, since when it has continued to grow. It opened a branch in Petersfield in 1991 which, according to Mr Clark, has enabled it Òto provide a high level of service to an expanding client base across the South of England.Ó

Giles Insurance now has a staff of 18 in Alton and has outgrown its Lenten Street offices. The High Street location, which would remain unaltered on the outside, would said Mr Clark, provide the additional space (3,300 as opposed to 1,000 sq ft) needed for further expansion.

He had canvassed 48 shop keepers in the town, 44 of whom were in favour of the change of use, and four who were against it.

The presentation elicited mixed response from Alton Town CouncilÕs planning committee. Council leader Dave Crocker admitted that in opposing the application he had, perhaps, been Òlooking for paradise for AltonÓ.

He could see the advantage for Giles Insurance which, he said, was undoubtedly Òan asset to the townÓ and he didnÕt want to see the High Street premises boarded up. He appreciated the presentation and the survey of local traders which, he felt, would help councillors to reach a more informed decision if faced with a similar application for the Cozens site.

Alan Chick had been concerned over the loss of a specialised shop which attracted customers from a wide area to purchase material. He had not appreciated that Cozens had wanted to sell up and had tried to market the premises, he said.

While Peter Whitmarsh admitted that the presentation had been ÒpersuasiveÓ, he remained unconvinced that to allow a change of use was the best way forward.

He questioned Mr ClarkÕs estimation of 150 customer movements a day to his business which he suggested may be ÒgenerousÓ.

He pointed out, also, that when the Alton Promotion and Marketing Forum had looked into why it was difficult to attract larger retail outlets to the town it was found to be due to lack of availability of units with sufficient size store space. The Cozens Fabric building could offer that space, he said.

In addition, Mr Whitmarsh reminded colleagues that it had been extremely hard to promote retailing in both Normandy Street and the High Street and, in his opinion, it would be detrimental to leave Òa dead spot in the middleÓ.