A former children’s shoe shop in Ely could be set for a new lease of life as a café under plans submitted this week.

Ely businessman Husnu Ata has applied to East Cambridgeshire District Council for permission to convert 31 Market Street – former home to the Shoe Tree – from a shop into a café.

Agents acting for Mr Ata, who also owns Ely Kebab House, said: “The proposal is for the change of use of the existing shop premises to a café for the sale of hot and cold food and drink to be consumed on the premises.

“No alterations will be made to the exterior of the building other than for the provision of ventilation ducts through the existing concealed flat roof at the rear of the property. It will be necessary to carry out minor repairs and redecoration to the xternal joinery.”

The agents said that any fan unit fitted to the rear of the building would have a silencer to control noise. Any waste generated by the café would be removed three times a week and waste cooking oil recycled.

A decision on the plans is expected within the next eight weeks. To view the plans, or to have a say, visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk