New Costa Coffee planned for Kettering

The hot drink giant is hoping to open a unit in the retail park in Carina Road, close to the Pizza Hut restaurant.

If approved the store will have a drive-thru and outdoor seated area, and will create 18 jobs.

It will be built in an area currently used as part of a car park, meaning 20 parking spaces would be lost.

A planning statement on behalf of the applicants, Orchard Street Management LLP, says the unit would rejuvenate the ‘tired’ retail park.

The statement says: “The new retail pod would provide ancillary amenity facilities for customers visiting the park.

“Ancillary amenity facilities, such as coffee shops, restaurants and sandwich shops, have become increasingly common features of retail parks in recent years, and the proposal would help align the facilities at Kettering Retail Park with those found at other modern retail parks.

“Costa Coffee would provide a valuable additional amenity to those visiting the retail park, creating an opportunity for them to enjoy a coffee as part of their visit to the retail park.

“It would also provide an additional amenity to those working in the area.

“The proposed development would allow for further investment in a tired retail park and the proposed new unit and the associated general improvements with enhance the appearance of the park and of the local area.”

Other stores in the retail park include Aldi, Next, Laura Ashley, Bensons for Beds, Currys and B&M.

The future of the Costa Coffee store inside Tesco, a stone’s throw from the proposed unit, is not yet known.

Costa Coffee also has two cafes in Kettering’s High Street.