Published: December 6, 2012
Costa Coffee unveils new plans for store in Burnham-On-Sea

Costa Coffee has submitted new proposals for its planned store in Burnham-On-Sea town centre.

Franchisee South West Coffee has submitted a planning application to extend the shop front of 30 The High Street, which was previously occupied by Sanders greengrocers, to allow for external seating.

District councillors granted approval for the change of use of the premises in September, and this new application focuses on the appearance of the store.

"A wall of glazing will be opened up during the day, allowing the store to extend out under the store's canopy. The design serves to improve the appearance of the shopfront," states the coffee giant in its application.

"The Costa store will create this through the use of glazing, allowing customers to look out on to the High Street and will allow passers-by to see into the store. This will enhance both the building and the overall street scene context. By relating the shopfront to the surroundings, the design contributes to the overall character and townscape."

Costa hopes to open the new cafe early in 2013. Sanders greengrocers closed last year and the property has been vacant ever since.

Earlier this year, several food retailers in the town aired concerns that the new cafe would hurt their trade and several called for more controls to be introduced on limiting the number of cafes in Burnham, as we reported here.