A planning application for change of use to a coffee shop has been submitted to B&NES Council this week under WY & SF Ltd., which has been traced to Costa Coffee.

The proposal is for Variety Stores, currently at Unit 1 in The Hollies, opposite Sainsbury's, Midsomer Norton, to move to Unit 4, so that Units 1 and 2 can become the proposed new coffee shop. It is thought that it will be run by a franchisee for Costa, with plans also for outdoor seating.

Opening hours proposed are 7 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. daily, creating ten new jobs. The new shop would serve hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and filled rolls, cakes, pastries, coffee beans and also sell cafetieres, percolators and merchandise, such as mugs and cups.

The developer puts forward the case that the chain coming to the High Street would encourage shoppers to stay longer in the Town Centre. Unit 2 has been vacant since July 2013, with apparently little interest. If the chain is granted permission, it would see the units at The Hollies full again.

B&NES Council has a target decision date of 20th April for the application, which can be viewed via: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/planning">www.bathnes.gov.uk/planning under 15/00835/FUL