A bid to turn the Great White Horse Hotel in the heart of Ipswich into a business centre has gained unanimous backing.

Members of the borough council’s planning and development committee welcomed the application which will turn the bedrooms of the old coaching inn into a business centre.

The ground floor has already been converted into a Cotswold store and a Starbucks coffee shop. Starbucks will convert the former Trafalgar Room above its existing site into an extension of the coffee shop.

A 20th century extension to the hotel in the courtyard off Northgate Street will be converted into six one-bedroomed flats.

Conservative councillor John Carnall said he was delighted one of the best-known buildings in Ipswich would have a new lease of life – the hotel shut in 2008.

He was backed by portfolio holder for planning Carole Jones who hoped work on the restoration would start soon.