Applications pour in from people keen to work at controversial store that Costa hopes to open in Keynsham

Almost 60 people have so far applied for jobs at the controversial coffee shop that Costa hopes to open in Keynsham.

There are "several vacancies" in Keynsham for people to be "part of the Costa family", according to a jobs website.

Stuart and Lynn Montgomery, who run the South West Coffee franchise, have applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council to change the use of the old Clinton Cards shop in Keynsham High Street to a coffee shop.

They already run Costa branches in Portishead, Clifton, Henleaze, Bishopston and Westbury-on-Trym.

In August they won an appeal against Bristol City Council which claimed the company did not have the correct planning permission to operate its cafes in Gloucester Road and Whiteladies Road.  Planning enforcement action was thrown out by an inspector at a public inquiry.

The deadline for people to comment on plans for a Costa in Keynsham ended last week and the council is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks.

Objectors say that Keynsham does not need another coffee shop and there are fears that established businesses could be pushed out of town and jobs lost.

There are already many outlets serving coffee in the High Street and adjoining Temple Street. Parsons is right next door and Coffee#1 opposite and there is also Pomegranate, Cafe Creme and Bath Bakery.

The Montgomerys last month defended their decision to open in Keynsham - read more here.