THE Costa Coffee drive-thru currently under construction at a service station near Highbridge is set to open at the end of the month.

The British coffeehouse chain has now confirmed the branch at Dunball Services just off the M5 near Bridgwater and Highbridge will be opening to customers and the local community on Thursday, February 29.

Forelle Estates Ltd. initially applied to build a new outlet near the existing Dunball Services on the Dunball roundabout in March 2022

The new outlet near the roundabout which connects Junction 23 of the M5 to the town centre via the A38 Bristol Road, will be open daily between 6am and 11pm, according to documents submitted to the former Sedgemoor District Council.

A spokesperson for Pegasus Planning Group (representing the applicant at the time of the initial planning application) confirmed that the new outlet would feature a designated drive-through option for hurried commuters.

“The proposed drive-thru is a commercial business, which would provide a number of employment opportunities for local residents," they said.

“It is expected that the drive-thru would employ nine full-time staff and 12 part-time staff.

“While the proposed development is not for the allocated approved industrial uses, there is limited demand for these uses at this site – whereas the proposed development will bring vacant land into an effective use, benefiting the economy and creating employment opportunities as intended.”