Plans to convert Chester's former Matalan have taken another step forward, with updated plans to turn the building into a storage site now approved.

Council planners had already given the green light for the Stadium Way building to be repurposed, but fresh proposals were been made to Cheshire West and Chester Council last month (August) for a number of alterations. 

The new plans revealed the business would be operated by SureStore. The previous application had not revealed the operator.

Put forward in October 2024, the previous planning application proposed no external works or physical alterations. It also listed the likely impacts of the proposed development as "limited and acceptable".

This latest proposal now includes external alterations "to ensure a high quality fully operational storage business". 

A new "smart" reception area at the eastern corner was put forward, alongside new glazing and 13 new shutter doors on the east and south elevations for "direct drive-up access to storage units". 

A grey and yellow rebrand was also proposed to "match the Sure Store brand". 

Plans say the new look will enhance the building's appearance to "better suit the surrounding high quality commercial units".

Approving the fresh proposals, the planning officer cited the site's location and the building's modern architecture, stating the plans had been "designed to be in keeping with the existing building ".

They suggested that by enhancing the design of the building, it would help with "attracting local businesses and domestic customers in need of storage facilities."

The report continued: "The proposed development comprises external alterations to ensure a high quality fully operational storage business for the locale.

"These updates will enhance the building's appearance to better suit the surrounding high quality commercial units.

"The proposal will enable the existing employment site to invest and adapt to their changing needs, whilst having regard to the surrounding context, and will not result in any adverse impact in terms of noise.

"The proposal has been designed to be in keeping with the existing building and its surroundings whilst providing branding to support the SureStore business and define the operation within the local area."

The former Chester Matalan store permanently closed its doors in January this year.

At the time, a spokesperson for the retail chain said: "Our priority is to support our colleagues and we are working closely with all those affected and where possible offering them alternative positions.

"We have thoroughly enjoyed serving customers during our time in Chester and will evaluate opportunities to potentially reopen our doors in the area."

SureStore operates 14 storage units across the UK, including Northwich, Trafford Manchester, Southport and Stevenage.

You can find the application here.