A WILLY Wonka-style chocolate factory and museum could be coming to Rugby town centre – in the historical building where Marks and Spencer used to be.
A planning application for ‘Yum Yum World’ proposes to turn the empty shop into a paradise for the sweet-toothed, with plans detailing a chocolate museum, a ‘marshmallow canyon’, a ‘sweet forest’, a giant chocolate fountain, a factory, a shop and a soft play area.
The application also proposes decorating the building’s steel columns to look like candy canes, and provisionally allows for a branch of Laser Quest to be built on the first floor of the building.
The bold new venture could create six new full-time jobs and six part-time roles.
The Grade 2 listed High Street building was built in 1908 and was originally used as the town hall before its change to Marks and Spencers.
The retailer ended its 78-year presence in Rugby town centre in November 2015 when it moved to the redeveloped Elliot’s Field Retail Park – disappointing shoppers and campaigners who wanted it to remain open or be replaced by a new M&S Food Only store.
No further details are available on the Yum Yum World planning application. Applicants Hawker & Busby and agents Chapman Design have not yet responded to The Observer’s enquiries.
More details to follow as they become available.
