A set of originally-refused plans to change the signs of a former WHSmith store to a new coffee shop have been approved after alterations were made.

Esquires Coffee submitted an application to Babergh District Council for internally-illuminated signage on the former Market Hill store in Sudbury in April, but this was refused as it was considered "out of character" for the area. 

A fresh application including the same three signage designs, but this time externally-illuminated by overhead channel batten lights and reduced in size, were submitted in July and have now been given the go-ahead. 

There will be a 61cm blade sign on the right of the property displaying an 'e' logo, as well as a sign above the door displaying the words 'Esquires The Organic Coffee Co' which will be 1.1m long, reduced from the previously planned 2m design.

A third 1.6m sign, reduced from a previously-planned 1.8m design, will be placed on the left of the facade and will read 'Coffee. Food. People'. 

In a statement to the council, the Suffolk Preservation Society said the second proposal employed "an appropriately conservative approach to the proposed signage". 

Approving the plans, a planning officer said: "The design of the signage is simple, modern, uncluttered, and proportionate to the size of the fascia.

"The reuse of the building also contributes to the vitality of the area, and this is a heritage benefit.

"The use of external illumination is considered appropriate in order to respect the character and appearance of the conservation area.

"As such, the proposal is considered acceptable in accordance with the aforementioned policies." 

WHSmith announced it would close its Sudbury store in 2022 as they were "unable to continue to trade viably" from the location. 

The closure also meant the town temporarily lost its Post Office before it moved into the Borehamgate Precinct.