STARBUCKS is eyeing up a former Chinese restaurant in a Worcestershire village.
An application for lawful development of the former Four Seasons on Malvern Road has been submitted on behalf of the coffee chain to Malvern Hills District Council.
Box Orange Ltd is applying on behalf of Starbucks to see if it would be lawful for the site to be converted into a coffee shop.
The restaurant has been closed since February 2024, when it ceased trading.
“In this case, the applicant wishes to certify that the proposed occupation of the Site by Starbucks to be operated as a coffee shop, is lawful,” said Montagu Evans on behalf of Box Orange.
“The existing use of the floorspace at the site is for a ‘restaurant’.”
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So far, two objections have been submitted against the application, with locals raising concerns about the benefits of a coffee shop and road safety.
Sophy Parsons said: “Whilst I do not want this plot to sit empty, the village needs a shop, or a children’s nursery – not a coffee shop.
“A coffee shop would not benefit the locals in the same way that a nursery or a local shop would. It would more than likely just encourage passing traffic to stop.”
Molly Ash said: “I think having a Starbucks here could be extremely dangerous for the children walking to school everyday.
“Cars already speed out of the junction onto the main road on a normal day, let alone when hundreds of cars are passing on their rush to work to grab a coffee.
“As a parent who walks the route everyday, I have serious safety concerns.
“The current car park for the Chinese can also be difficult to exit out of due to parked cars opposite it which would also lead to potential backing up of cars onto the main road who won’t be able to access the carpark due to cars waiting at the traffic light.”