Premises used for Shops and Professional Services in Wales
Shops – use class A1
Use of commercial premises as a shop comes within use class A1 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended). Use class A1 covers a variety of retail uses, the most common being for the retail sale of goods other than hot food. However, other uses come within use class A1 too. These include use:
• as a post office
• for the sale of tickets or as a travel agency
• for the sale of sandwiches or other cold food for consumption off the premises
• for hairdressing;
• for the direction of funerals;
• for the display of goods for sale;
• for the hiring out of domestic or personal goods or articles;
• for the reception of goods to be washed, cleaned or repaired;
• where the sale, display or service is to visiting members of the public; or
• as an internet café, where the primary purpose of the premises is to provide facilities for enabling members of the public to access the internet.
Financial and professional services – use class A2
Use class A2 covers premises where financial and professional services are provided to visiting members of the public. Examples include banks, estate agents and solicitors.
Can I change the permitted use?
Certain changes of use of class A1 premises do not require planning permission (subject to certain conditions being complied with). Please refer to https://www.planningportal.co.uk/wales_en/ or consult your local authority for further information.