Fashion retailer Claytons will be allowed to relocate to a new out-of-town base after councillors ignored the advice of Town Hall planning
officers.

At a meeting of Bedford Borough Council's planning committee on Monday,
councillors approved a switch that will see the clothes store leave its current location in The Arcade in Bedford, where it has been for 103 years, and move in with furnishing store Hatters in Goldington Road.

Officers had recommended that the application be refused, because it "would be detrimental to the successful regeneration of the town centre."

But the men who matter disagreed.

Had the planning application been refused, Tim Garner, Claytons managing director, feared the business would be forced to close.
He said afterwards: "Common sense prevailed. Councillors had to vote against the Government's policies and overturn the
recommendation of their own planning officers.

"I'm delighted they did, it's really, really great news."
Mr Garner said he now hopes the clothes store can move to the Goldington Road site in the spring.