Wokingham is set to see another new business opening, as plans for signage and shop fittings have been approved by Wokingham Borough planning officers.
Wokingham Today was first to reveal the plans in November 2024 that were submitted by agents for Grape Tree, a health food retailer.
Th company applied for listed building consent for the Grade-II listed 1-2 Bush Walk, opposite the town hall, to include refitting of existing shopfittings and floor coverings, repair of existing walls, erection of stud wall at rear of the shop to provide storage, repair and repainting of timber shopfront, and installation of new non- illuminated sign to the front fascia.
During the consultation period, Martin Gibbs had expressed his opposition to the new business.
He said: “I don’t believe this application will bring benefits to Wokingham.
“Wokingham already has four good quality health shops in the town centre and it is unlikely that it could support another health shop.
“If approved, it is likely to result in shop closures and consequently will result in some existing shop staff being made redundant.”
The unit was most recently the short-term home for the Wokingham poppy appeal. It was formerly The Bush Hotel, and has previously been a target for Pret a Manger.
Documents submitted with the application said: “Grape Tree will be taking on a new 10-year lease, and plans to open a shop to add to the 132 plus shops trading nationwide.
“It wants to replicate its corporate identity within the bounds of the conservation standards.”
The application was approved on March 11.
Grape Tree, headquartered in the West Midlands, currently has locations in Reading, Maidenhead, and Windsor.
A spokesperson for Grape Tree told Wokingham Today it is planning to open on April 10, and that the new venture would create four new jobs in the town.
