Councillors representing wards in Caerphilly town have welcomed plans for a Costa Coffee drive-thru.
The coffee chain has applied for planning permission to convert the former Pizza Hut store on Gallagher Retail Park.
The building would be partially demolished and revamped as part of the plans, which include an outdoor seating area.
A Costa Coffee spokesperson told Caerphilly Observer: “We can confirm that we are opening a drive- thru in Caerphilly, but are not able to provide any further information on the detailed plans and opening date.”
Cllr James Fussell, who represents Plaid Cymru on Caerphilly County Borough Council and Caerphilly Town Council, said: “As someone interested in Caerphilly, I welcome an empty site being used. With McDonald’s and KFC nearby, it brings a synergy in terms of food outlets which all feed each other.
“I’m hoping for a positive outcome, I would like to see it all go through. If you’re a coffee lover you’ll go there – it would be a great addition to the retail park.”
Cllr Jamie Pritchard, who represents the Morgan Jones ward where the premises is located, said: “The Gallagher Retail Park is in a prime, central location and it’s a good place to do business.”
Cllr Pritchard, who represents Labour on both Caerphilly County Borough Council and Caerphilly Town Council, added: “As councillors we’re pushing to see the other empty units filled with household brands to boost Caerphilly’s retail appeal.”
However, there has been a mixed response on social media.
One user, who is in favour of the plans, said: “Glad to see some use of a disused building in whatever form will go in there.”
But many other users used social media to express their disappointment at the plans.
Another social media user said: “I would have preferred something more than a coffee shop.”
Other people used social media to say that they would like to see Starbucks and Primark open in Caerphilly.
The premises has been empty since 2016, when Pizza Hut closed its doors, and was hit by a deliberate fire in February 2017.
There had been previous interest in the former restaurant by rival coffee chain Tim Hortons.