Coffee fans around Burton are set to be spoiled for choice as plans to open a Starbucks close to the town creating 15 jobs have been submitted.

If plans to bring the popular coffee chain to the area are approved it will be the first Starbucks in Burton, joining a total of six Costa Coffees, and numerous independent coffee shops too.

Applicant, 1 Oak Limited has submitted an application to the East Staffordshire Borough Council which asks for permission to make alterations to the former Regales Restaurant, on the A38 Lichfield Road, in Barton Under Needwood. The Regales was formerly a Little Chef restaurant.

It also asks for permission to create a drive-thru lane. The site is located close to a Travelodge and Barton Marina, and the site is bordered by BCS Plant and Tool Hire to the north and the Lichfield Road A38 to the east.

A report by Manchester-based Pegasus Group, acting as agents for the applicants said: "The proposal comprises of the creation of a drive-thru lane to serve an existing restaurant unit with associated access, layout and minor works to the existing building.

A Starbucks is also planned for the yet-to-be-built Albion Gateway development

"It is intended to use the building as a coffee house selling hot and cold beverages and cold food to be consumed on and off the premises.

"The reconfigured layout to accommodate the drive-thru lane will result in the loss of two car parking spaces in the northern section of the existing car park, due to this area of the car park being used by customers who will be entering the drive-thru lane.

"The loss of these two car parking spaces will not cause any issues in parking capacity terms, as the coffee house will be mostly accommodating drive-thru customers as opposed to visitors parking for longer time periods.

"This would not have been the case for the previous restaurant use where customers would be staying for longer periods of time while they consumed their meals.

"The new drive-thru lane would allow the sale of coffee and associated products without customers needing to leave their vehicles. It would also make a more efficient use of the car park associated with the site by allowing a greater throughput of vehicles. Due to the location of the site the majority of customers are likely to be car borne."

The site is currently empty and has been for some time. The proposal will provide 15 new jobs available to local people in a variety of positions.

If given permission, Starbucks will join a host of Costa Coffees which have been springing up across Burton, including in Station Street, The Octagon shopping centre, in Tesco and Burton’s Queen’s Hospital, and in Derby Road. Another is also planned for the car park in Centrum 100.

A decision is due to be made in October.

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