The Fourteas, in Union Street, is run by husband and wife Ian and Rachael Barber, who met while stage managing shows for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In June, their lease runs out at the current premises. The tearoom will be re-sited to the Grade II double-fronted former Locke and England estate agents building, in Sheep Street, around April or May.

Mrs Barber has submitted a change of use planning application to convert the building from a shop into a restaurant, and has also applied for listing building consent for internal alterations to facilitate the conversion.

She told the Midweek Herald that Sheep Street seemed an ideal location for them. The larger premises has an upstairs room above the opticians next door, which will be used for private parties.

Mrs Barber also said that they plan to use the long narrow garden at the back for a vegetable plot and an air raid shelter.

The target date for the application to be determined by the district council is Tuesday 29th January.