A café owner has teased plans to open a new retail space in a former travel agent site in a west Suffolk town. 

Shelby Louise Foord owns Barleycorn, a café in Market Place in Mildenhall, and has announced new plans to takeover the former Hays Travel unit across the road. 

It follows the opening of the bar at the end of last year after a licence to serve alcohol was approved. 

In an announcement, Ms Foord said: "Everyone knows how much I love this town and the people in it. 

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Ms Foord is taking over the Hays Travel in Market PlaceMs Foord is taking over the Hays Travel in Market Place (Image: Google)

"We all know we need more in the town to attract people back to the town centre and help local businesses grow so I have taken over the old Hays Travel space."

While the new venture will not be food related, Ms Foord confirmed it will be a retail space the community needs. 

She added: "It's a big investment on our part but I feel something has to be done to create a reason for people to come into town."

It is hoped the new retail shop will be open by September.