A PLAN to turn the former Mackays shop in Ludlow into a coffee house looked set to receive the go-ahead this week.

Planning officers at South Shropshire District Council have recommended approval of Mackays' application, despite objections from two Ludlow eateries.

Ian Wells, who sells coffee and locally baked cakes from a café at the back of his Emporos shop in Bull Ring, warned there were already 16 coffee shops in Ludlow and there was not enough footfall to support another.

Wendy Kirby, of the Castle Lodge Buttery, spoke of "an over-subscription to catering businesses within Ludlow which could have significant consequences to the commercial wellbeing of the town".

District planners said choice and healthy competition secured quality.

However, in a move that should scotch recurring rumours that a major book shop chain will go into Mackays, planners recommended a condition that use should be restricted to a coffee house only.

This is in the interests of the fabric of the listed building and nearby residents.

Mackays has stood empty in King Street since its store moved into the former Kwik Save in Market Square.

The application was being considered by the council's development control committee as The Advertiser went to press.

A separate application, by businessman Graham Willson-Lloyd, to turn a former dress shop in Quality Square into a tea shop is still being considered by planning officials.

His planned tea shop is close to Ego, his existing coffee house in Quality Square.

If he gets the go-ahead, the new café will be the fourth eatery in an enclosed area that is popular with visitors.

Quality Square, which also leads to the Rose & Crown pub, is a magnet for visitors.