THE BARREN shopping scene of East Street, Warminster, looks set to receive a boost, despite plans for another takeaway which were due to be discussed on Thursday, November 30.

Traders and residents in East Street have already voiced their disgust at the state of the street, saying abandoned and boarded-up shops are creating an unwelcoming eyesore.

Plans to convert 9 East Street into another takeaway have also met with disapproval from Warminster Civic Trust, which claims the area is being overrun by fast food shops and vacant premises.

Trust chairman Elisabeth Collyns has said that if district councillors turned down plans for the takeaway at last night's southern area committee the Trust would buy the building and raise money to restore the shop and the flats above to their former glory.

The area has already built up a bad reputation, which Mrs Collyns believes will not be helped by another takeaway moving in.

She said: "We are all trying to help East Street and improve the look and feel of it.

"This is why I have stuck my neck out to say if the councillors didn't approve the change of use we would purchase the store and restore it.

"If it does not get change of use to a takeaway we will have to buy it and raise the money by borrowing initially and trying to get it back."