Plans have been approved to convert a town centre retail unit into a retro cafe and music bar.

The coffee shop would be a 1920s-50s style spin off from Darcy’s Vintage and Retro Treasures, a vintage furniture and ornaments shop based in the unit, at 48 Druid Street.

Terry West Carpets is also based in the unit.

Application documents filed by Axon Architects said: “The designated space would host morning coffees and afternoon teas, with some days dedicated for senior citizens in the week, along with evening ‘tapas’ style functions.

“The space would include a small bar area for licensed beverages along with facilities for warming up food brought in off site.

“As part of the ‘retro’ theme it is anticipated to include a solo performance stage for singers dedicated to certain music genres such as blues, jazz and 20th Century classical.”

The external facade of the building would be re-designed with an Art Deco style, with access to the site from Druid Street.

Car parking arrangements would remain the same as there is a public car park adjacent to the site and on-street parking is available.

The sub let space that would house the cafe has been vacant for around 18 months.

The application said the cafe will increase employment on site and “offer a niche outlet for senior citizens”.

One person objected to the application, raising concerns about noise and disturbance for residents and insufficient parking.

A condition of the approval was that the first floor apartment above the cafe must be occupied by a person solely or mainly working in the cafe, or a widow or widower of such a person and to any resident dependants.

The reason for this is “to protect the amenities of the occupiers of the first floor residential property from unsatisfactory noise and disturbance”.

A report from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council recommending the permission be granted said the proposal would respect the character of the existing building, its neighbours and the street scene.

It said: “It is assessed that the proposal would not have a severe adverse impact upon highway safety.”

The site is located in a mixed use area of historical commercial buildings to the east and residential units to the north and west of the site and lies outside the Druid Street Conservation Area.

The applicant has three years to carry out the project. Plans were approved in November 2016 to convert part of the unit into a single bedroom flat.