Plans to transform a former post office into a cafe have fallen through.

The Old Post Office in Bury St Edmunds served its last customers in November 2016 before it was redeveloped into flats and ground-floor commercial units by West Suffolk Council. 

In July, it was revealed that an independent café called Amici was set to open in one of the units before Christmas. 

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West Suffolk Council say a full lease had not yet been signed, and licensing, planning applications and advertising for staff were yet to be carried out before the business pulled out.

The council now says it is pursuing two leads in the hope of filling the space in the near future. 

Councillor Diane Hind, cabinet member for resources at West Suffolk Council, is seeking new leadsCouncillor Diane Hind, cabinet member for resources at West Suffolk Council, is seeking new leads (Image: West Suffolk Council/ Phil Morley) READ MORE: Bury St Edmunds News

Councillor Diane Hind, cabinet member for resources at West Suffolk Council, said: “We have received interest in both units and we and our agents are following up on these exciting leads in the hope that before long we will be able to announce more positive news for the town centre.

“We are also continuing to keep the rents under review and are open to offering incentives (in line with the market) such as rent-free periods, stepped rents and contributions towards fit-out.”

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Councillor Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth at West Suffolk, is also in support of the projectCouncillor Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth at West Suffolk, is also in support of the project (Image: West Suffolk Council/ Phil Morley) Councillor Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth at West Suffolk, added: “These improvements are in direct response to many of the 8000 public comments that shaped the town centre masterplan in 2017.

"The success so far would not have been achieved had we left the building on the open market.”

The council say the redevelopment of the property into 12 apartments and commercial property has so far generated close to £4m.

They also say future income will be used towards protecting the unlisted Victorian Cornhill front and the cost of widening the market's Thoroughfare by more than 50 per cent.