‘Vibrant’ cafe bid for village

The building in Toddington High Street has been empty since the hardware store closed down in February, but Houghton Regis firm Hi-Tech Flooring wants to to open a cafe and carpet shop in the double-fronted unit.

They have applied to Central Bedfordshire Council to turn the front third of the shop into a cafe, while the rear two thirds will be used for flooring sales.

Richard Hagan, in charge of planning at Toddington Parish Council, said he was keen to see the plans succeed.

“The parish council will be supporting it,” he said.

“It would be remaining as a retail premises rather than closing or becoming offices, or another hairdressers.

“We’re very pleased about that because really and truly we don’t want to lose anymore retail shops.”

The planning application states: “Toddington has recently lost four public houses and one takeaway. The scheme hopes to redress this and provide a vibrant coffee house which will encourage visitors to the High Street.”

It says the timber framed shop front would be replaced by “modern folding aluminium glazed units” with white framework.