The former premises of a popular Suffolk bike shop are set to be converted into a restaurant after plans were approved by a council.

East Suffolk Council has given property company LondonMetric Saturn the go ahead to turn Evans Cycles, which is part of Martlesham Heath Retail Park, into the restaurant.

The bike shop, situated next to Topps Tiles, Wickes and Tesco, announced it was closing on May 14 due to a reported rental disagreement.

READ MORE: Martlesham: Evans Bike Shop set to close next month

At the time, a spokesperson for Evans Cycles said: "The landlord wants more rent and our company isn't willing to pay."

In a statement with the plans, the applicant's agents Lichfields said the aim was to create a 'drive to' restaurant, including an 'eat in' restaurant and a delivery counter for customers to collect their orders.

The 732sqm restaurant will include a dining room with space for 150 diners, a counter for 'drive to' services, a kitchen, bathrooms, a store room with chiller and freezer, a crew room, office, plant space and service corridor.

READ MORE: Woodbridge: Coleby Cycles opens to fill gap after closure

Lichfields said the new development would not have an impact on businesses trading in nearby town centres, especially Woodbridge, as the retail park was already home to food stores and cafes which had not affected the wide variety of takeaways, cafes and restaurants in Woodbridge.

The agents said: "The unit is intended to primarily serve existing customers to Martlesham
Heath retail area by improving the services available to them.

"It has therefore been designed as an ancillary and complementary facility to the retail park.

READ MORE: Martlesham news

"The proposals seek to meet the demand created by the growth in food and non-food retail uses within the retail park, as retail developments seek to broaden their attraction in response to the increase in multi-channel shopping, particularly the rise of internet shopping for comparison goods."

Lichfields said parking would be provided by the existing car park, which has space for 106 cars, including six disabled spaces and 20 cycle parking spaces.

The new restaurant will also provide 40 new jobs.

READ MORE: Suffolk news