TinkerDog Computers, in Barnard Castle, is shifting across The Bank to the vacant side of Connelly’s Toy Shop.
But TinkerDog owner Ben Collins says mixed messages about planning regulations and delays to a £20,000 grant promised by Durham County Council had put the store’s planned move this summer back until Christmas.
Mr Collins said: “We’ve had to leave the shop front in a terrible condition – we are actually renting both shops at the moment.
“I cannot complete the work and Pauline Connelly is suffering because it looks like she has closed her shop completely.”
Initially, the team at TinkerDog were planning to give the front of their new premises a lick of paint. However, on hearing of a county council grant to improve shop fronts, Mr Collins applied to the scheme and was told the store would be suitable.
Council officers came out to visit the shop, told Mr Collins to fill out the necessary forms before giving him the nod to go ahead. He explained: “They came out, had a look at all the work and said there wouldn’t be any problems.
“Windows needed replacing at the back with like for like timber frames – I spoke to Wade Glass and they were happy to start work on them.
“Then about a month later they came back and said we needed to fill out more forms taking an extra six to eight weeks. They are stopping everything for two windows at the back.”
Mr Collins was told the reason for the change of heart was the officer who first came out had gone on holiday leading to a new officer taking over the case. The delays have meant he has had to continue paying for both properties either side of The Bank. Meanwhile, Mr Collins’ confirmation of receiving a £20,000 grant to improve the shop front is looking less certain.
He added: “It has gone from ‘definitely’ to ‘hopefully’.
“This grant was set up to improve the look of the town – they have ended up with a right mess.
“I have had to get a £25,000 loan to tide me over – I am expecting £20,000 from them but now I’m not certain I’m going to get it. I am sick of phoning people, leaving messages and nothing happening. It’s not fair on myself and not fair on Pauline.”
Mr Collins has run TinkerDog in the town for the past 15 years with the firm based on The Bank for four-and-a-half years.
Toy shop owner Ms Connelly, whose business has downsized but is still popular with families, was also disappointed with the delays.
“When someone is so excited about a new project over here and gets sidelined by paper-filling it’s like you cannot move forward,” she said.
“Obviously we want it as well because it keeps the flow of footfall – if you see an empty shop you turn around.”
Mr Collins wants to set up a retro games area at the back of his new premises once everything is set up. He thanked Ms Connelly and his customers for their patience.
Stephen Reed, the county council’s planning development manager, apologised for the confusion, adding that it was working with Mr Collins to “keep his relocation on track”.
Mr Reed added: “Mr Collins is relocating his business into a grade II-listed property, and is carrying out associated refurbishment works, some of which, such as replacing glazing to the rear of the building, will require listed building consent. Mr Collins was informed that this planning permission was required before any business improvement funding could be provided to him, and he was advised to submit an application which omitted the works which required this specific consent.
“That application has now been assessed and an offer letter will be issued to Mr Collins. He was also advised that he would be able to apply for a further portion of this grant, for the glazing and windows, once listed building consent had been granted.
“Whilst it is not common practice for us to operate a two-tranche application process, because Mr Collins does not yet have the relevant permission to replace his glazing, we are happy to consider this as a separate application as and when proper permissions are received.”
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