Plans to create a lounge bar and restaurant in an empty warehouse on Ipswich Waterfront are expected to be approved next week.

A proposal was submitted in November to transform the former Burton Son and Sanders warehouse in St Peter’s Wharf into a lounge bar and restaurant.

In days gone by, Burton Son and Sanders were trade confectioners and sugar importers, and were first established in 1824 by Charles Burton.

The applicant for the new bar and restaurant, Loungers UK Limited, already operates more than 230 sites across the country through two brands, The Lounges and The Cosy Clubs, which serve food and alcohol on the premises.

To avoid any noise concerns, Loungers UK has said that doors to the venue would be shut during operational hours and the external seating areas would be closed by 10pm. 

If accepted, the proposed works include removing the existing roof slates and installing a "warm roof" construction with a new metal roof.

The proposal is set to be discussed by Ipswich Borough Council’s planning and development committee on Wednesday.

It is expected that these plans will be given the green light, as documents made available on the council's website ahead of the meeting show that it is recommended that the application be approved.

An agenda sheet read: “The site has been vacant for a significant period of time. The change of use to an appropriate Town Centre use and refurbishment of the building would have a positive impact upon the area. No representations have been received and consultee comments have been addressed.

“The benefits of the development weigh in favour and officers conclude that there are no grounds to refuse planning permission, nor is it considered that a Section 106 Agreement would be necessary for the development to be acceptable in planning terms.”