EASTERN suburbs residents will have access to cheaper groceries around the clock after the Metro East Joint Development Assessment Panel approved a 24/7 Spudshed in Bellevue today.

The store will be located at the old Military Market site, which has remained unused for more than a decade after the markets closed in 2007 following significant damage from a fire.

Spud King Tony Galati said he looked forward to the new store opening before the end of the year.

“Twenty years ago we gave away free spuds at the old Military Markets in Midland and at the time I promised the residents of Midland that one day I would open a Spudshed there,” he said.

“I am happy to finally be able to honour that promise.”

The Spudshed proposal was advertised for public comment earlier this year and received two non-objections and four objections.

Objections were received from Vicinity Centres (which operates Midland Gate) and TPG Place Match on behalf of Coles Group Property Developments for their sites in Midland Gate, Darling Ridge Shopping Centre and Bassendean Shopping Centre, which said the proposal would have a detrimental impact on neighbouring stores and shopping centres.

However a Retail Sustainability Assessment by the proponent predicted in 2019 there would be a 1.9 per cent drop in turnover at Midland Gate, a 2.3 per cent drop at Darling Ridge Shopping Centre and a 0.8 per cent drop at Bassendean Shopping Centre.

City of Swan staff said claims that Spudshed would adversely impact the Midland Activity Centre were unsubstantiated.