Budget retailer B&M has received the green light to open a new store in Shepton Mallet, in Somerset.
There had been doubts over whether the company would be able to go through with its plan to trade from the former Focus DIY store at Fosse Lane because of conditions of use imposed by Mendip District Council 10 years ago. Keen to protect the business of town centre traders, the council decided that only DIY and builder's merchant goods, hardware, electrical goods, furniture, furnishings, floorcoverings and garden lines could be sold from the site.

However, B&M has now been granted a variation of those conditions, without which it said a new store would not have been viable. The fast-expanding chain will now be allowed to sell a wider range of goods, including confectionery, cleaning products, toiletries, toys, clothing, homeware and non-perishable food and drink.

The new store will create more than 30 jobs.