A decision has been made on whether to allow a furniture and gift shop in Falmouth town centre to create a cafe for customers.

Uneeka, which already has a successful shop/cafe and furniture showroom in Truro, had applied for planning permission to alter its store at 25 Market Street, the former Henri Lloyd shop, to provide internal disabled access and alterations to the rear yard, to form a "tea garden".

Alterations were also proposed for the ground floor flat roof, to provide a cafe terrace, as well as the installation of toilet.

On the second floor it was proposed to install a kitchen and pot washing facilities, as well as a dumb waiter.

The current shop on the ground floor consists of an open plan retail area selling eco-conscious furniture, lighting, soft furnishings and accessories.

It was proposed rear yard will be landscaped with grass verges, patio slabs, honeysuckle and wisteria to existing walls.

Now a decision has been taken by a planning officer at Cornwall Council, under delegated authority, who has approved the work to go ahead.

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In their report the inspector said: "The proposal would not result in any loss of retail space within the town centre, but would instead introduce a café at upper floor level that would add to the vitality of the town centre.

"The proposed internal alterations to the building do not in themselves require planning permission and would not result in any changes to the exterior of the building."

They added that while the "relatively secluded" existing rear yard and back of the existing building were "currently in a poor condition visually", the work would give an opportunity to "make a positive contribution to the built environment and to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area."

The opening hours of the café are listed as being 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday and Bank Holidays.

Uneeka has held pop up shops in Falmouth over the Christmas period for a number of years, but has now decided to make its presence permanent.

Speaking to the Packet back in March, company director Jodi Skelton said: "We have had a temporary shop for Falmouth for a few years and it has proved to be a good place to be for us.

"People seem to like what we are offering so we decided to make it more permanent with a cafe, similar to what we offer currently in our Truro store."