A NEW coffee shop coming to Malmesbury at the end of May has divided opinion on social media.

Coffee#1, a small, fast growing chain of coffee houses, will replace the HSBC branch that closed in January last year at number 23 in the high-street.

The coffee shop is currently advertising for a manager and a team leader with the applicant required to be enthusiastic, have a positive attitude and a passion for coffee.

A date for the opening has not yet been confirmed but the arrival it is believed it will create eight new jobs, including management roles.

Coffee#1 made an application to change the use of the shop from a bank to a coffee shop, minor alterations to the shopfront and to add two signs to the shop.

The application was approved with conditions on July 10 las year and the company started advertising jobs last week, on April 4.

However, after news broke out on social media, residents raised concerns that there are too many coffee shops already and that there was no need for another.

Residents were also concerned that the opening is bad news for existing coffee shops and could have a negative impact on their profits.

Others welcomed the news of a new shop on the high street rather than having an empty shop situated in town.

Malmesbury Town Cllr Gavin Grant said of the opening: “Two new businesses opening on and around our High Street is great news for Malmesbury.

“It is ‎particularly good to know that the old HSBC building is not going to be empty for much longer.‎

“Well done to the Town Team and Town Council.

“Both have worked hard to sustain visitor numbers, residents support and promote awareness of local shops and businesses.”

Originating in 2001 in Cardiff, Wales, the coffee chain operates over 55 shops across Wales, southern and central England.

The Standard contacted Coffee#1 but no one at the coffee chain was available for comment on the opening next month.