Entrepreneur Faces Challenges Over Lack of Planning Permission for Newport Business Unit
A dedicated entrepreneur in Newport faces uncertainty over the future of his business, Trims and Needles, due to a lack of planning permission for its operational premises. Leigh Hussain, the owner of several businesses, including Inspire Business Media, invested tens of thousands of pounds in a unit at the Traston Road industrial estate in Newport a few years ago. The establishment has been functioning as a tattoo parlour and barber shop under the name Trims and Needles. However, the entrepreneur recently discovered that he needed official approval from the Newport council for a change of use application to run a retail business from the premises. Hussain admitted to being unaware of this requirement, citing naivety as the reason for the oversight.
Despite the shop operating as a retail space without the necessary planning consent for a period, Hussain stated that the lack of awareness led to the absence of a change of use permission. A subsequent application for retail use was declined by the council, leading to a costly reapplication that faced a similar fate, leaving Hussain in a financial dilemma. His next course of action involves appealing to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), a governmental body. While the council received only one objection, citing parking insufficiencies, against Hussain’s plans, concerns were raised regarding the conflicting nature of the mixed-use industrial area without dedicated pedestrian access.
Support for Hussain’s application came from various quarters, including 13 letters of support, endorsements from Newport Corinthians Football Club, and even the leader of Newport council, Dimitri Batrouni. The rejection of the application was based on the council’s preference for retail establishments to be located in Newport city centre rather than out-of-town industrial areas. Hussain expressed regret over the purchase of the unit, recalling his initial perception of the space as a potential location for a barbershop and tattoo parlour. Despite investing in refurbishments and improvements, the entrepreneur admitted to his oversight regarding the necessity of change of use permission for retail activities.
As Trims and Needles faces the threat of closure if the appeal to PEDW is unsuccessful, Hussain remains resolute in his decision not to relocate the business to Newport city centre. He emphasised the shop’s positive contributions to the local community, highlighting its sponsorship of the local football club and services to the industrial estate, lorry park, and biker community. While the council allows the business to continue operations during the application process, Hussain’s determination to sustain the establishment’s presence in the current location remains steadfast.
The challenges faced by entrepreneurs in navigating planning regulations and securing the necessary permissions for business operations underscore the complexities of establishing and maintaining ventures in compliance with regulatory frameworks. Hussain’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring business owners, highlighting the importance of thorough research and adherence to legal requirements when embarking on entrepreneurial ventures. The outcome of the appeal to PEDW will determine the future trajectory of Trims and Needles and the extent of support provided by regulatory bodies to promote business sustainability and growth within local communities.