Bid to convert 35a Newgate, in Beccles, formerly Lollipop Shoe Shop, to bar approved by East Suffolk Council

A bid to turn a former town centre shoe shop into a bar in a town has been approved.

East Suffolk Council green lit the plans from Jacob Oddy to change 35a Newgate, in Beccles, to a coffee shop/wine bar yesterday.

The building, which is Grade II-listed, formerly housed Lollipop Shoe Shop, but has been vacant since it closed on April 13.

An officer report on the approval said the premises would be open from 10am to 11pm each day, including Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The report said any amplified music would only be for background use, and this among other factors meant planners considered the proposals protected neighbour amenity.

The building was formerly known as ‘The Old National School’, and dates back to 1837.

The new business would share waste collection with nearby Old School Coffee Ltd, in 33a Newgate, which is also owned by the applicant.

No physical changes to the building were proposed in the plans.

Planners said the building is in a ‘primary shopping frontage’ and thus the maintenance of a ‘dominant retail appearance’ in the area would now be out of character.

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Developers have three years to begin the project.