TWO food businesses are set to open in Taunton town centre after winning planning permission this week.

Conditional approval was granted for Kaspa's Desserts and Döner & Gyros to operate in the former Maplin store at 12 County Walk.

Somerset West and Taunton Council has agreed to plans to subdivide the building into two separate units.

The plans include a replacement shopfront, the installation of heating, ventilation and cooling equipment, a partial change of use permission and permission for signage.

The premises, which has been vacant since Maplins went into administration in March 2018, is currently vacant, also previously houses a Blockbuster video shop.

Kaspa's Desserts parlour will operate on one side of the store, with Döner & Gyros featuring a restaurant and take away trade on the other.

The planning application for the development said the scheme would cause "no loss to the vitality and viability of the area".

It added: "Furthermore, the contribution of the proposal to the vitality and viability of the Primary Shopping Area is clear as it will bring a beneficial diversity to the area through two new brands and experiences of restaurant that are not currently present within this area.

"This will not only be an experience for existing shoppers, but will likely to attract additional visitors and tourists.

"The active shopfronts will provide visual interest through quality frontages and advertisement displays and will aim to generate significant pedestrian footfall throughout core shopping hours similar to those generated by the prime location retail uses."

READ MORE: Kaspa's Desserts and Doner Gyros plan to open in Taunton.