Former Poundland in Mere Street, Diss, to be turned into retail units and flats

An empty shop in the centre of a Norfolk town is set to be turned into flats.

The former Poundland store in Diss will be reconfigured under plans approved by South Norfolk Council.

Since Poundland’s tenancy ended in 2023, the empty unit is said to have become “sad and run down”.

The proposals seek to split the large building into a smaller retail unit and six new flats, in the hope this will make the site more viable for businesses.

The designs include an additional floor on top of the current building, which will be “revived and refreshed” as part of the redevelopment.

The plans have once again raised questions about the future of the adjacent King’s Head Yard car park, which was previously destined for a new JD Wetherspoon pub.

It was estimated that a new branch of the British pub chain would cost nearly £3m to build with a mezzanine level and balcony with views across the Mere, as well as a beer garden.

But despite being granted planning permission by South Norfolk Council, the development never went ahead.

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