Goderich Council has amended its official plan to allow smaller retail businesses to locate outside of the downtown core.
Some members of the BIA opposed the change claiming it threatened retail business on the square.
But Mayor Kevin Morrison countered the town was losing retail businesses that didn't want to locate on the square and often went to other communities.
Morrison also pointed out the mix on the square is currently 60 per cent services, 30 per cent retail, and 10 per cent not-for-profit. Morrison maintains it's time the official plan was changed to reflect what's happening in the market.
The amendment will allow smaller retail stores to be established in the former Shoppers Drug Mart across from the new LCBO store on Hwy. 8.
Morrison also suggested that more retail will attract more shoppers to the town and that should be an opportunity for stores in the downtown core as well as stores on the outskirts of town.
