Proposals to turn part of the former Grimwades store on Ipswich Cornhill into a new Pret A Manger takeaway have received unanimous backing from borough planners.

The borough’s planning and development committee gave a clear welcome to the proposal which will see the up-market sandwich and takeaway store convert half the ground floor of the building and all the first floor into a cafe.

The food will be sold from counters downstairs where there will be limited seating. More seating will be available upstairs, giving customers the chance to eat on the premises.

Pret is expected to also attract customers who want to eat outside in fine weather – especially once the redevelopment of the Cornhill is completed later in the year.

The rest of the ground floor of the building is expected to become a new Cards Direct store soon – that does not require planning permission.