Inverness DFS shop is target of bid for Highland Council food store permission
Council planners have been asked to allow the existing DFS shop in Inverness to be used as a food store.
However, a spokesperson for the retailer said it has no plans to close its sofa showroom and that “as far as we’re concerned it is business as usual”.
The owner of the DFS building, Metric Income Plus Limited Partnership, has applied for a “change of use from retail (non-food) to retail for the sale of food” on the site.
Setting out the plans, an application document confirmed: “The proposed development is for a change of use for the entire unit to become a food store.”
The shop, across the road from KFC, has been home to DFS since it was built 15 years ago.
Planning rules currently prevent food retail businesses operating out of the store.
And despite DFS still trading at the location, a planning statement submitted to Highland Council revealed that “the applicant is in dialogue with a number of proposed operators who have shown an interest in this unit and to trade in this specific location”.
However, a spokesperson for DFS said: "Our current lease expires in 2031 and as far as we're concerned it is business as usual.
“We have no plans to move premises in Inverness and we expect to continue trading at Millburn Road for the foreseeable future."
Drawn up by agent Montagu Evans, the owner’s application confirmed that prior discussions had been held with the council.
The document stated that an official “supported in principle” the plan to turn the building into a food shop.
According to the agent, the council had “acknowledged that it would support the local area” and agreed that a negative impact on the city centre was “not anticipated”.
“The proposal will contribute to the health and wellbeing of the local community through the provision of local jobs and increasing the choice of retail goods and services for local residents,” the document added.
The documents also stated that 11 vacant units in Inverness had been considered as alternatives to the DFS site, but “the majority of which were too small to accommodate the proposals”.
Plans confirm that no changes to the building itself have been sought.
However, new electric vehicle charging and bike parking points feature in designs.
The building’s owner, Metric Income Plus Limited Partnership, is a joint-venture between property developer LondonMetric Property PLC and a higher education pension fund.
Currently under consideration by Highland Council planners, the deadline for a final decision is July 27.
Montagu Evans was approached but refused to provide comment, while LondonMetric Property did not respond to requests for comment.
