A prominent former department store looks set to be given a new lease of life.

Plans for the "subdivision" of part of the vacant former Beales store in Beccles have been given the green light.

A scheme was submitted to East Suffolk Council in January, with plans centring around "subdivision of the former Beales store into four units, with external works" at the store on Smallgate.

The former Beales building spanned two different floors and two large buildings in the market town between 2017 and 2020.

But after Beales went into administration in January 2020, the Smallgate branch was closed alongside other regional stores including Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Diss.

Now, the plans - produced by agents Ingleton Wood LLP, on behalf of the applicants Panther Securities Plc - have been approved by East Suffolk Council under delegated powers.

Heritage and planning statements said the proposal "includes two elements of work" - including the subdivision of the building to four units.

It adds: "This would involve the creation of three units within 22 Smallgate, and one unit within 24-30 Smallgate.

"The intention of the works is to make the building more marketable to businesses, particularly smaller businesses who would want to take on a smaller unit.

"The subdivision would require minor internal works to block up existing openings.

"Minor external works are proposed as part of this application; three new means of escape doors and a new external grade doorset to the Electrical Supply Room are proposed."

A report from the council said: "It is stated by the applicant that there is currently limited interest in the leasing of a retail unit of this size, which has been vacant since 2020."

In recommending that "planning permission be granted" subject to conditions and in granting approval, a decision notice letter from the council stated: "Permission is hereby granted by East Suffolk Council."