ANOTHER shop look set to close, blaming its demise on the Covid pandemic.

An application to change the use of the Fine Fabrics shop off Taunton town centre from retail to residential has been lodged with Somerset West and Taunton Council.

If the proposal is approved, five two-bedroom flats could be constructed in the building, which would feature a second-floor extension.

The application says: "The proposed development will convert the two-storey retail premises at No. 2 Magdalene Lane into four new flats and provide a second floor roof extension over the modern two-storey building to accommodate a further flat. The entire use will be residential.

"The modern retail building will be transformed from a box-like appearance to a more traditional vernacular aesthetic with a pitched roof and feature dormer windows facing Magdalene Lane."

A statement accompanying the application adds: "The application is in direct response to the accelerated demise of town centre retail caused by the Covid pandemic, the closure of East Street and a direct respone to the desire of national government to re-invigorate town centres with new, sustainable residential accommodation."