A ROW is brewing over plans to "invigorate" a Hampshire town centre by opening another cafe in the main shopping street.

Civic chiefs have received an application to turn a former Fordingbridge bank into a cafe/restaurant and convert the loft into a one-bedroom flat.

But the proposal has sparked claims that the town is not big enough to support another coffee shop.

The applicants, Mark and Adrienne Tollman, say they have been unable to find a long-term tenant for the commercial part of the premises.

Planning permission to open a beauty salon at the property was given earlier this year but the scheme fell through.

Mr and Mrs Tollman, of Breamore, say they can bring the building back into use only by making a substantial investment themselves.

In a statement supporting their application, they add: "We propose to design the commercial interior to reflect a high-end style, similar to look and feel to Framptons in Ringwood - bearing in mind that this will be a daytime coffee shop as opposed to an evening wine bar venue.

"The existing cafes and tearooms in Fordingbridge do not offer the type of environment or ambiance that we are proposing.

"We hope the venue will contribute to an invigorated town centre and be supported by the local community."

But the application has come under fire from the owner of one of the four cafes already trading in the town.

In a letter to the district council Lesley Ryder, of Shaftesbury Street, Fordingbridge, said: "Three of the cafes are within 50 metres of the proposed new coffee shop.

"I feel that the town is not large enough to warrant another coffee shop.

"The town needs more retail shops to entice more people into the town, which would benefit all the local businesses that are already here and keep the town alive.

"Another coffee shop will not bring people into the town."

But Fordingbridge Town Council is supporting the application, saying the scheme will replace an empty space with a business and a home.

And an initial assessment by a district council planning officer says the proposed cafe would not harm the overall vitality of the town centre.

The officer adds: "Conversely it could enhance the retail environment of the High Street."

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