THE now-closed Minehead town centre Co-op supermarket premises was this week put on the market for sale after retirement flats developer McCarthy Stone appeared to abandon plans to redevelop the site.

Bristol-based property consultants Hartnell Taylor Cook (HTC) is asking for offers ‘in the region of’ £1.75 million for the freehold of the empty premises in The Avenue.

HTC said the 1.01-ace property with its own 30-space parking yard would be suitable for ‘investors or owner occupiers’.

A spokesperson said: “The property comprises a purpose-built supermarket with a vacant retail store adjacent, occupying a prominent position fronting The Avenue, Minehead’s principal commercial thoroughfare.

“The store was constructed in the 1980s and is arranged to provide a broad, highly visible retail frontage with level access, leading into a large, open‑plan sales area supported by ancillary storage, staff accommodation, and servicing facilities to the rear.”

McCarthy Stone wanted to demolish the building and replace it with a block of 35 apartments and a 3,000 sq ft convenience store.

But, Somerset Council refused planning permission last December, citing its failure to reflect the existing character and appearance of The Avenue, making it appear ‘incongruous’ in relation to the wider town centre.

A six-month time limit for McCarthy Stone to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against the refusal ran out on June 11.

The property has been empty since June 13, when the Co-op closed down, with the Post Office having shut two days earlier on the retirement of the postmaster.

A new Post Office reopened only last month in the Queens Hall retail shop, on the sea front Warren Road.

The Free Press has reached out to McCarthy Stone to ask about any interest in the former supermarket building but did not receive a response before going to print.