Costa Coffee could return to market town

Ludlow could be set for a Costa Coffee

National coffee chain Costa Coffee could be set to return to a market town after abandoning its former premises.

Developers are eyeing up a vacant plot for the store near a supermarket in Ludlow, Shropshire, according to local councillors.

Costa’s former store in King Street has been vacant since the firm moved out of the town last year.

But according to leaked proposals a scheme may now be brought forward to build a new store on vacant land next to the town’s Sainsbury’s store.

The land was originally intended to be a petrol filling station but it could now include a hot drink drive-through.

More details are expected to emerge when a full planning application is brought forward over the next few weeks.

Councillor 'hopeful'

Ludlow East councillor Tracey Huffer said she welcomed a proposal for the "eyesore" plot on the north-east fringe of the town, just off the A49.

“A coffee retailer will suit the location," she said.

"It’s next to Sainsbury’s and people shopping there might wish to grab a coffee.

“I am hopeful that the proposed Costa Coffee will become a meeting place for residents in Rocks Green and the new development of Henley Grange.

"All we have in the area right now is the Nelson Inn, an excellent venue but not everyone wants to meet in a pub."

But Ms Huffer said there was still a lot to learn about the application, with opening hours among things that needed to be looked at in detail.

Ludlow North councillor Andy Boddington agreed that it could be a positive proposal for the site, and said the original plan for a petrol filling station was not needed for Ludlow.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted Costa Coffee for a comment.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.