Published: August 23, 2012
Costa Coffee's plans to open in Burnham-On-Sea get 'thumbs up'

Controversial plans to turn a prominent shop in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea into a new Costa Coffee cafe were last night (Wednesday) approved by town councillors.

The council's Planning Applications Committee gave its approval to South West Coffee Ltd's proposals to open a Costa Coffee franchise in the building previously occupied by Sanders greengrocers in the High Street.

Burnham-On-Sea.com recently reported that many food retailers in the town are concerned that the new cafe will hurt their trade and some have called for more council controls on the number of cafes.

However, Cllr Pat Burge, who chaired last night's meeting, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "It was noted that this building was previously a food shop so there is no formal planning reason for us to object against Costa's proposals."

"There was some discussion around the plans for outdoor seating outside the cafe, and Costa will be told that this must not extend beyond the boundary of the front of the premises."

Costa hopes to open the new cafe this autumn if it gains final consent from Sedgemoor District Council over the coming weeks. The new store will have opening hours of 6.30am - 8pm.

Sanders greengrocers closed last year, as Burnham-On-Sea.com reported here.