A MARKET town's burgeoning café society lifestyle looks set to grow thanks to fresh plans to increase outdoor seating areas.In the historic heart of Bury St Edmunds, customers at a string of popular eateries are able to take advantage of any good weather and bask outside as the number of pavement tables grows.

A MARKET town's burgeoning café society lifestyle looks set to grow thanks to fresh plans to increase outdoor seating areas.

In the historic heart of Bury St Edmunds, customers at a string of popular eateries are able to take advantage of any good weather and bask outside as the number of pavement tables grows.

As the summer months approach, the continental approach to the good old British cup of tea shows no signs of abating.

Paul Romaine, director of the Cupola pub in the Traverse, is hoping the introduction of tables and chairs opposite the pub will continue this thriving new facet of life in Bury.

He said: "The café society in Bury is flourishing and I think the town's streets are perfectly suited. If we get tables and chairs in the summer, I think it will be a really nice environment and benefit everyone."

An application has now been submitted to St Edmundsbury Borough Council for the Cupola - and a popular town street café has followed suit.

Derek Dawkins, proprietor of the Scandinavian Coffee House on Angel Hill, was one of the first to bring the café society way of life to Bury and now wants to extend what he can offer his customers.

He said: "We first had chairs outside the coffee house five years ago - it was something that I always wanted to do.

"It has since proven very popular and led to my expansion plans. I think it is popular because it is continental and when the weather is nice, it is good to sit outside. We get a lot of tourists and they can enjoy the views of the town."

The customers who take to the cafes to enjoy a break from shopping or a brief respite from work also see the town as perfect for the café society.

Sam West, of Ixworth, said: "The sun doesn't come out very often so when it does, you have to do something and make the most of it.

"Bury is such a lovely place and it is much nicer and more sociable sitting outside. I think the town lends itself to having street cafes and it is a lovely town to look at. There is a lovely atmosphere in the town centre and I think expanding the café society is a wonderful idea."

Dudley Hedge, visiting the town from his home in St Ives, said: "On a lovely sunny day, the café society definitely promotes the town.

"It is very continental and I would welcome any plans to expand the street society. The only limitation is the weather as no matter how much you expand it, it's far easier on a Greek island."

While planners will have some say in determining the future of the café street lifestyle, it could be Mother Nature who ultimately has the final say - with doom-mongers predicting a poor summer of wet weather.