A SUCCESSFUL bakery based in a former petrol station is hoping to add a cafe to its business on the outskirts of East Linton.

Lindsay and Ross Baxter are aiming to offer people the chance to sit in and enjoy the variety of baked goods at the cafe at Bostock Bakery off Dunbar Road.

Plans, which would see changes made outside the main building, are currently with East Lothian Council’s planning department for consideration.

A supporting statement is included with the planning application, which highlights the need for change.

It notes: “When Bostock Bakery moved in the building at East Linton, it had been vacant for a number of years, having previously been a car showroom, Torness Motors, until 2010.

“Before that there is evidence that it was used as a petrol station, with the canopy still in place in 2008.

“Since taking on the space, the bakery has become very well respected and is well used by both the local and wider community.

“The site configuration has remained unchanged and is still laid out in a configuration that better suited its use as a petrol station.”

Changes would be made to create clear entry and exit to the site, while defined parking spaces would also be drawn up.

The supporting statement noted that the lack of clear parking spaces meant the car park was used “in a haphazard way”.

The document continued: “The issue is further exacerbated by the fact that often the parking area is used for non-customers while they take walks in the local area.

“The bakery also need to carefully manage the car park to ensure safe delivery of goods to the site which currently off-load on the main forecourt.

“The proposal seeks to address these issues to improve the safety and appearance of the forecourt with better site access, better space for pedestrians, greening up the space, and opportunities for outdoor waiting and seating areas.”

Drawings included within the application show 16 spaces would be created, with five of those designated for staff.

A further 22 spaces for cyclists would also be included on the site.

Indoors, images show space for seating, with a further decked area out the front for more customers.

The supporting statement of Bostock Bakery, which also has premises in North Berwick, reads: “When Bostock Bakery took on the building, their aim was to use it solely as a production bakery to provide goods to their already successful outlet in North Berwick, but soon after opening they began to receive an increasing number of visits from people enquiring if they could buy direct; it was then that they decided to introduce a small counter space to sell direct from the bakery.

“Since this time, the bakery has increased in popularity to become a well-respected part of the community of East Linton, serving both locals and visitors from further afield.

“As part of their commitment to remain in East Linton, Bostock are seeking to invest in improvements to the site and to regularise the use of the building for serving food and drink, although this will remain supplementary to use of the space as production bakery.”