Plans to convert Long Melford’s former Ruse & Son butchers shop into dog grooming parlour withdrawn

Plans to convert a disused butcher’s shop in Long Melford into a dog grooming parlour have been placed on the backburner.

A change-of-use application for the former Ruse & Son shop in Hall Street, which had been submitted to Babergh District Council earlier this year, was formally withdrawn this week.

The proposals were put forward back in April, seeking permission to convert the site into a dog grooming business, with a decision expected by the council this month.

Both Long Melford Parish Council and Babergh’s own economic development team had supported the application in principle, stating it would bring the vacant site back into use.

Ruse & Son closed its doors back in 2020, after 160 years of trading in the village, and the premises have been empty ever since.

However, the application to convert the site was withdrawn on Wednesday, prior to a decision being made by the district council’s planning committee.

No reason for the withdrawal has been made public, and it is not yet known if the plans will be revised in future.