plan to flatten the “depressing” precinct.
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Jo Jo’s card shop is expected to move into the empty Dorridge Travel Service unit in Station Approach as part of Sainsbury’s move to find new homes for Forest Court businesses.
Only Dyhouse Pharmacy and Da Santino will remain when Jo Jo’s leaves early next month. Sainsbury’s owns the leasehold on its new home.
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council’s planning committee is expected to be asked to make a decision on the Sainsbury’s plan next Wednesday (October 19).
Jo Jo’s owner Linda Butler said: “It is definitely a positive, I have no trade in here, no passing trade. At lease you are visible out there. It has been two years of gradually declining.”
A Sainsbury’s plan was thrown out by the council in March last year and the firm this year submitted a plan with a sales about 25 per cent smaller, 1,812sqm.
Mrs Butley said: “It is a big improvement, this is a bad reflection on Dorridge.
“I didn’t have any objections to the size of the first one, I think the design didn’t fit.
“It’s bad being in here because you are not visible and people tend to forget about you.
“But if it carries on it will start to affect the businesses outside. There isn’t a centre to the village, there is no pull. It is a poor relation to Knowle.
“It will bring some life back to the place. It is quite depressing in here, it would be nice to have a bit more life in Dorridge.”
The pharmacy would be relocated in the village if Sainsbury’s gets permission. The firm has said Da Santino can apply to go in a restaurant unit in the new development.
Other businesses to move with the help of Sainsbury’s include Dorridge Music School, to Knowle, and Karma Beauty. Michael Peters carpet shop moved to Bentley Heath.
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