Ace Mobile, in Guildhall Street, Bury St Edmunds, to become Bento Box Chinese takeaway

A town’s mobile phone shop will become a Chinese takeaway despite a council’s traffic concerns.

West Suffolk Council approved Mr Woel Heng Ong’s plans for 89 Guildhall Street, in Bury St Edmunds, today, which will see it converted into Bento Box.

The food at the unit will not be prepared on site, and will instead come from nearby parent business 513 Oriental Buffet, in Woolhall Street.

Bury Town Counil had originally recommended the plans be approved, but later withdrew this support over concerns about the amount of traffic that will visit the site and how cars could park on kerbs to collect their orders.

Agents Maude and Edwards Architects responded to this development expressing its disappointment. It argued the takeaway would primarily serve the workers of the town, and it is envisaged traffic to the shop would predominantly be by foot.

The response said it would allow people to enjoy the food from the buffet without having to sit down in the restaurant itself, while its offerings would change daily based on what 513 was serving.

The building is Grade II-listed.

The proposals include new signage for the takeaway and a new street sign which will be fixed to the building.

Two Guildhall Street residents and another from St Andrews Street South objected to the plans.

They said the takeaway would be inappropriate in the area, noise from fans could be disturbing, it could produce litter from customers and potentially exacerbate existing noise issues from the nearby Wetherspoons.

The opening hours would be between 10am and 6pm, Monday to Sunday, inclusive of Bank and Public holidays.

Planners said the site sits within Bury’s town centre and primary shopping area, which meant support should be given to retail and other complimentary town centre uses.

They said there were no reasons to withold the granting of planning permission for the takeaway.