BUSINESSES in Colwyn Bay have vowed to fight plans for a training centre for former addicts.
Plans by drug and alcohol rehabilitation service CAIS to convert the building, currently home to the Judge & Jury public house, on Station Road, have met with opposition from businesses in the town - including the pub's owner.
Plans for the building include a bistro and entertainments area on the ground floor, a training facility on the first floor, and an administrative office on the top floor, which would be run in collaboration with probation services.
Clive Wolfendale, Chief Executive of CAIS, said rather than being a treatment centre, the new venture would be a social enterprise designed to help victims of addiction become independent, and represented “great opportunities” for CAIS.
He said: "The first is developing the opportunities for our clients to gain development and training, and getting support for their own business ventures."
CAIS have now submitted their application to Conwy County Borough Council's planning department.
Sean Fleming, owner of the Judge and Jury pub, which occupies the ground floor of the building, reacted with surprise to reports that his premises were to be converted, and said nearby businesses had been “up in arms”.
He said: “I felt like I was in front of a firing squad - but I'm as much in the dark as everyone.”
Other businesses on the street have already voiced opposition to any plans by Cais to change the venue, and have begun a petition opposing the development.
Richard Farrell, manager of the nearby Eateasy cafe, said the proposed bistro could have a negative effect on his business.
He said: “We get a lot of business in the summer from tourists, and if there's children sitting out front they'd see it."
He added: "We know they need help, but not on a high street.”