THREE major brands are moving closer to opening new stores in Bridgwater.

Work is nearly complete on a new Co-op and Papa John’s Pizzas on the former Paragon Laundry Site in Taunton Road, meanwhile work is being undertaken at the former Buyology store in the Bridgwater Retail Park ready for an M&S Foodhall.

The Paragon Laundry was once a thriving business but was destroyed in a huge fire in 2009. After remaining empty for a number of years, the site will now be home to a new Co-operative store, Papa John’s pizzas on the ground floor, with 14 flats as well as 22 residential units and a car park.

Elsewhere Bridgwater is also set to get it very own M&S, although the plan is for a Foodhall rather than a department store.

The former Buyology site has been gutted in preparation for work on the new supermarket store, with hopes the store will be opening in Spring 2018.

“We’re looking forward to opening a new M&S Foodhall in Bridgwater and being part of the community,” a M&S spokesman said. “The store will offer the best of M&S’s high quality food and drink.”