Signs have gone up for a new café outside an Ipswich newsagent which was previously run by a community stalwart for over 60 years. 

Barlas Coffee will open at the former Chantry News premises in Hawthorn Drive in the next few months.

Chantry News closed after John Beecroft, the manager and a familiar face of the shop, passed away in 2022. 

Mr Beecroft started working at the shop in 1949 when he was 16 and his family said the shop was one of his passions in life.

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John Beecroft, who passed away in 2022, was the manager of Chantry NewsJohn Beecroft, who passed away in 2022, was the manager of Chantry News (Image: Family of John Beecroft)

READ MORE: Ipswich Business News

Barlos Cafe is taking over the shop, with the team saying they are really excited to open their new store.

They added they will begin trading as soon as they get their license approved by the council.

A spokesman for the cafe team said: "We can't wait to show everyone our beautiful coffee and we are very excited that the shop is nearly ready.

 "We have been working with coffee for over 11 years and are very passionate about it. The coffee is going to be great and there's going to be lots of it.

"Plus, we are also going to be serving delicious breakfast meals, ice creams and slushies."