PLANS have been submitted to transform an empty town centre shop into a cafe.

National chain Coffee #1 have submitted plans to open a coffee shop at the former Blockbuster site in East Street, and create six full time and four part time jobs.

The site has been empty since December 2013 when the video rental company closed all its stores across the UK.

The head of Bridport's chamber of commerce is pleased the plans would mean an empty town centre unit would be brought back into use.

President of Bridport Business Chamber, Richard Smith, said: "Due to the size of the site, it was always unlikely that an independent retailer was likely to go in that space.

"Seeing it in use is only a good thing for the town. However, only time will tell what the impact of Coffee #1 will be.

"I'm sure there will be a mixed reaction from businesses in the town, but ultimately it is better to see it used well than to remain empty and its condition worsening."

Owners of independent coffee house, The Green Yard Cafe, said that although they would prefer an independent business to have taken over the empty unit, they are pleased the move would show Bridport is attracting national companies to the high street.

Proprietor Beverley Capewell said: "We're glad that someone has taken the unit because empty shops aren't good.

"We just rather it wasn't a chain. Every shop has its own niche market - all our milk and coffee is organic.

"In truth, it was either going to be an estate agent, a charity shop or a coffee shop. People aren't going to pop into Bridport because there is a new cafe.

"But it shows that Bridport is on the up and that people would invest in the town."

There are also proposals to set up an outdoor seating area outside the shop.

Coffee #1, which has already opened shops in Weymouth and Yeovil, believe take away trade is likely to contribute around 40 per cent of the Bridport store's sales.

In a planning statement on behalf of the developer, Michael Gooch from Boyer Ltd, said: "A new Coffee #1 store will create a range of high quality, permanent jobs.

"These jobs will offer long term, sustainable employment opportunities.

"Consequently, the long term investment and job creation that will result from this proposal will provide sustainable economic growth by creating new jobs, attracting investment and drawing greater footfall into the town centre, in addition to returning an empty unit back to an economically viable use.

"The proposed development represents a unique opportunity to regenerate the application site. It will provide longstanding improvements, not only in terms of urban form and public realm, but also economic and social vitality."