A SHOP which has served Tranent for more than 40 years will be demolished, with a replacement built on the site.

The Wee Shop, on the town’s Blawearie Road, will be torn down and replaced with a two-storey building.

Drawings for the new building show a shop on the ground floor and a one-bedroom flat above.

East Lothian Council’s planning department gave the green light to Deepak Kumar’s plans for the building earlier this month.

READ MORE: Plans to demolish and replace East Lothian shop

Mike Falconer, chairman of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, previously told the Courier: “I would be keen to see the shop retained there.

“The building itself is not fit for purpose as a modern shop. It is a breeze block building and it was always a tiny little place.

“If it is going to be a more modern, open shop I would be in favour.

“I don’t see any problem with somebody living above it, whether manager or not.

“My main concern would be to retain the shop.”

Mr Kumar took on the business after Jimmy Thomson, who ran the shop for 38 years, decided to call it a day in October to allow him to spend more time with his family.

READ MORE: Jimmy Thomson retires after 38 years

The application noted: “The convenience store has served the local community well over decades; however, it is in need of substantial repair and maintenance, and in need of increase detail sales and stores for modern use.”

The newly approved building follows “a similar footprint” to the existing building with “a modest” flat roof extension to the business space.

Upstairs features a one-bedroom flat, to be used “primarily but not exclusively” by the manager.

Planning officials received one letter against the proposals.

Concerns included an impact on pedestrian and road safety through increased vehicle movements and additional parking at a corner location.

However, it was noted in the application that the site “already benefits from adjacent service/parking layby which allows for off-street parking”.

An additional space is also proposed to serve the flat above.

Last year, the Courier reported that Mr Thomson had sold the building to Mr Kumar.

At the time, Mr Thomson’s daughter, Laura, said: “I think the new owner is very well liked so far, my dad gave him some advice on how we’ve done things over the years but ultimately it is his business now.

“I think a lot of people will miss seeing him in the shop, but hopefully the new owner can continue it on.”