Coffee#1 has confirmed its plans to move into the old NatWest building on Street High Street, with a planning application now submitted to Somerset Council for the installation of its signage.

The café chain is set to bring a new look to the vacant site, which has remained empty since the bank's closure.

According to the planning application, Coffee#1 intends to install its branded signage inside and outside the building, on top of works already underway to adjust the exterior to let in more natural light.

The news has sparked mixed reactions from locals. While some are pleased to see a new business moving into the vacant building, others have expressed concern about losing yet another bank in the area, which some feel is still much needed.

NatWest's closure left a gap in banking services for Street, and the addition of another coffee chain has raised questions about the future balance of businesses on the high street.

Founded in 2001, Coffee#1 has become the UK's fourth-largest coffee chain, operating 118 stores across the Southwest, Wales, and parts of the Midlands. The company has reported strong growth in recent years, with sales of £29.5 million in the first half of the 2023-24 financial year and continued expansion, despite the challenging economic climate.

Street's new branch will be part of the chain's latest push to increase its presence, with recent openings in Derby, Fleet, and Cwmbran.

The company now serves over 250,000 customers each week across its estate and employs over 1,000 staff.