WESTON-SUPER-MARE'S empty former Marks and Spencer could soon be turned into a major new arcade.

The major store on the town’s High Street, which stretches to the Sovereign Shopping Centre and Regents Street, has sat empty since M&S closed its doors five years ago.

Planning permission was granted to turn it into a pub and adult gaming centre in 2023 — but nothing ever happened.

New plans could see it turned into a new “Coral Island” arcade for the seaside town, run by the same people who run Coral Island in Blackpool.

The new arcade will potentially include coin cooperate amusement machines, video games, bowling, crazy golf, virtual reality attractions, and food and drink such as a sweet shop.

The adult gaming centre — already permitted under the previous planning permission — would also be included.

The plans will see the storefront on the High Street divided into two: an entrance for the “Coral Island Candy Bar” and a separate entrance to “Coral Island Casino Slots,” which would be in a walled off separate section of the ground floor.

 

A statement submitted with the change of use planning application to North Somerset Council said: “This will transform the existing tired existing appearance and will breathe new life into the building, which has been vacant since M&S vacated the site over five years ago, in April 2019.

“In addition to the above, it is proposed that the building will be opened up via doors along the buildings Regent Street frontage, to encourage access and wider vitality and viability within the town centre.”

Three planning applications have been submitted to North Somerset Council, covering the change of use, new shopfronts, and new signage.

You can view the change of use application here: https://planning.n-somerset.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SH14F5LPIFW00 

You can view the application for signage here: https://planning.n-somerset.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SH13PJLPIFR00 

You can view the application for new shopfronts here:https://planning.n-somerset.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SH14FHLPIFY00