A TOWN desperately trying to attract high-class restaurants to its high street is today hoping a new eatery does not turn out to be another takeaway.An application for a restaurant in Stowmarket has been given the thumbs up by town councillors despite uncertainty about the type of restaurant it will be.

A TOWN desperately trying to attract high-class restaurants to its high street is today hoping a new eatery does not turn out to be another takeaway.

An application for a restaurant in Stowmarket has been given the thumbs up by town councillors despite uncertainty about the type of restaurant it will be.

The councilors had to use guesswork when looking at the proposals because the application form does not require the owners to state whether it is a takeaway or not.

The town council, Mid Suffolk district council and the Stowmarket Forum are all dead against more takeaway shops opening in the town.

Marilyn Finbow, town councillor, said: "These are strange circumstances and we just hope we have judged it right.

"We looked very carefully at the application and its opening hours suggest it won't be a takeaway.

"It says it will close at 11pm, and even earlier on Sundays and bank holidays.

"There is also a fairly large space set aside for tables which a takeaway doesn't usually have."

An application to open a Chinese restaurant in Crowe Street was given the thumbs down by town councillors in June.

Town mayor Gordon Paton claimed it would "lower the tone" of the community.

Emily Adie, deputy town clerk, said: "The town is trying very hard to encourage high quality restaurants to the area and don't want another takeaway.

"Councillors really needed more information as the description of this application could turn out to be a takeaway but from the information we have we think it's more likely to be a restaurant."

Do you want to see another takeaway in Stowmarket? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street,

Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send and e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk