Retail A1 (generally known as general retail) includes shops, retail warehouses, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices, pet shops, sandwich bars, showrooms, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners, funeral directors and internet cafes. NB: See also the other uses including A2, A3, A4, A5
The A1 planning use category is a key part of villages, towns and cities and continues to undergo change, with different forces impacting on the viability and vitality of the Class A1 and the retail sector as a whole. Internet shopping, business rates, changing lifestyles and the regeneration of many places each have their own impacts.
At Plande, we have been involved with many aspects of the A1 use category from creating new premises (either as stand alone or as part of a wider mixed use development) or changing from an A1 use (for example to other business or residential uses) where such spaces are deemed no longer viable.