A POPULAR Indian restaurant in Taunton looks set to close and the premises turned into flats.

The owner of the Blue Mango says the business has been "severely impacted" by the Covid pandemic and the current cost of living crisis.

Harun Ali considers the eaterie in Westgate Street, which earned a five-star hygiene rating earlier this year. is no longer sustainable.

A planning application has been lodged with Somerset West and Taunton Council planners for a change of use permission to convert the building into six self-contained one- and two-bedroomed flats.

The building currently consists of the eat in and take out restaurant on the ground floor with living accommodation featuring four bedrooms on the first floor.

The site was originally developed as a pub in the 1880s - the Westgate Inn was run by former West Indian cricket legend Roy Marshall before his death in 1992.

A statement submitted with the planning application says: "The public house ceased trading in 2010 and was converted into an Indian restaurant.

"The business has been severely impacted by the Covid pandemic and more recently by the cost of living crisis.

"It is now considered the location to be unsustainable in its current form. This reflects other businesses along Shuttern."

The proposal includes minimal alterations to the exterior of the premises and is limited to reopening a blocked up window and doorway and adding a small first floor extension.

There would also be storage for recycling and bicycles.

The statement says: "We believe the proposals will help address the need for additional housing in a sustainable location and is thus economically and socially sustainable.

It adds: "It is felt that the building can be better used as flats which will retain the historic fabric of the building and prevent the building further falling into decline."

The application will be considered by planners at Somerset West and Taunton Council in due course.

In the meantime, Blue Mango is taking bookings for Christmas parties and the New Year.