HIGH Street bakery chain Greggs has lodged plans to open up a new ‘pod’ store in Wellington.

The small store would be built in the Chelston Business Park and have a total floor space of just 63 square metres - around four times the average car parking space.

It would have seating room for six patrons, a sales area with display units, and back of house space for preparation, storage and staff facilities.

The new bakery is needed, Greggs said, to meet the needs of motorists, visitors, and nearby workers.

The ‘food to go’ pod would be located near the electric vehicle charging points on the edge of the Shell garage forecourt, which Greggs said would “offer motorists an improved retail experience whilst they wait for their vehicles to charge.”

They add that their new location will provide job opportunities for local people, many of which they said would be “suitable for local residents, particularly residents who wish to be flexible in the hours they work.”

In a statement submitted to planners at Somerset Council on Gregg’s behalf, JMS Planning and Development said: “The proposal has the potential to improve the vitality and viability of the area and support the local community both through the provision of jobs and the Greggs Pledge social and environment commitments.

“Furthermore, the proposal will provide improvement in the visual appearance of the site compared to the existing position. Greggs has high standards both in terms of physical appearance of the site and as an operator, so will ensure the unit is well maintained throughout its occupation.”

They added that if approved, the store would bring ‘a number of economic benefits.’ JMS said: “This proposal makes best use of an underutilised parcel of land supporting the users of the existing EVC hub, as well as the wider business park, whilst also providing jobs for the local residents.

“The proposal will therefore bring a wide range of economic benefits and accord with the role and the focus of relevant planning policy as contained within the NPPF and the adopted Development Plan, making a significant contribution to the economy.”