Spalding could soon have an AI coffee shop
Concerns raised over drain capacity as Bocca Coffee Drive-thru plans approved
A new AI-powered coffee drive-thru is coming to Spalding, after South Holland District Council’s planning committee approved plans for the development on King’s Road.
The site, which has stood empty for years, will become home to Bocca Coffee – the UK’s first chain to use artificial intelligence voice technology to take orders and suggest drinks.
The development, proposed by Steelframe Building Systems, will also include electric vehicle charging points, a car wash, and parking spaces.
Despite receiving twelve public objections, mainly about noise and privacy, councillors praised the scheme as a good use of a long-vacant brownfield site.
However, some concerns remain over the plan to connect the coffee shop to the town’s sewer system.
Anglian Water has formally objected due to worries about capacity, with local councillors warning of possible extra costs for bill payers.
The project was approved with conditions to address these issues before building work begins.