An empty town centre barbers can be ‘brought back to life’ after owners got permission to convert it into a cafe.

Kerry Roberts barbers on Alexandra Court in Wokingham town centre closed in August last year. Now the Brown Bag cafe, which already has premises opposite on Alexandra Court, wants to move in.

Wokingham Borough Council planning officers said the change would make a ‘positive contribution’ to the town centre by filling an empty unit.

Officers said: “By making use of an otherwise vacant store, the proposal would establish itself as a destination while increasing trade for other units within the town centre, thus enhancing the viability of the wider area.

“On this basis, the proposal would make a positive contribution and is therefore acceptable.”

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Plans submitted to Wokingham Borough Council say cafe owners want to install patio doors to open onto an outdoor seating area.

Installing the new outdoor seating will mean raising and levelling the ‘patio area’ just outside the shop front. However no fixed tables, chairs or umbrellas will be installed.

A planning statement submitted with the application says: “The proposed changes are extremely minor and will crucially bring a vacant commercial unit in a busy town centre walkway through Wokingham back to life.”