COFFEE shop giant Starbucks is moving forward with plans for its first two outlets in East Lothian.

Plans for a drive-thru coffee shop at Gateside West, on Haddington’s western edge, were given the go-ahead by East Lothian Council in April.

Now there are proposals, again lodged by company Euro Garages, for various signs on the site, east of a proposed new retail park.

Starbucks was not named on the initial plans and again has not been named on the latest planning application. However, drawings included within the application feature Starbucks logos.

A Starbucks spokeswoman said: “We look forward to opening our doors to customers in East Lothian in the near future and will be in touch once we have more specific plans to share.”

The coffee shop, which would be open seven days a week from 6am to 11pm, would employ about 20 members of staff.

Previously, the town’s community councillors raised concerns about the noise from vehicles visiting the business, with hopes the development would not affect the town centre.

The plans show parking for more than 20 vehicles, including two disabled bays, as well as an electrical charging unit and spaces for bicycles.

Inside the shop, drawings show more than 70 seats.

Meanwhile, proposals for the site of a planned new service station – including a Starbucks – off the A1 have been lodged with the council.

More than 200 jobs are expected to be created at the new service station on the former Raceland karting centre site, near Gladsmuir.

Planning permission was given to Euro Garages in February to transform the site, which will become home to a 24-hour petrol station and fast food drive-thru, with additional fast food and coffee shop drive-thrus open daily on the site.

A second planning application, to allow various signs to be put on the site, has now been submitted, with drawings again featuring the Starbucks logo.