THE first Starbucks coffee shop could soon be opened in East Lancashire.

The world-famous coffee chain could come to the area as part of plans by an expanding Darwen-based business to move its headquarters to a new site in Blackburn.

Euro Garages, the UK’s fastest-growing forecourt operator, has set aside one area of the development, off Haslingden Road, Guide, for a Starbucks.

It would, if planning permission is granted, be open from 6am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday.

The Blackburn Road, Darwen, based company has submitted a planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council to build 26,500sqft offices, a 5,000sqft petrol station, and a 2,127sqft coffee shop.

And in the application, Euro Garages is proposing the coffee shop would also have a drive-through facility.

In the application it states: “Access to Starbucks will be via Haslingden Road as per the petrol station.

“You will drive down the boundary of the petrol station and turn right into the drive through.”

The proposals for the site would replace a former factory and surrounding vacant space for the new head office building and a flagship forecourt.

The development would serve as a training academy for Euro Garages’ 700 employees, and an innovation centre where it would trial new technologies and services.

The application adds: “It is considered that the development will have a minimal detrimental impact.

“The proposal will not unacceptably harm residential, or other amentities, or restrict neighbouring land usage.”

A spokesperson from Starbucks said: “We’re working with Euro Garages to bring Starbucks to East Lancashire where we hope to become part of the local community.

“However, we have no specific announcements to make at this time.”

Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade has wished Euro Garages good luck with its planning application.

The chamber said it would entice those living and working locally.

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