A HIGH Street shop is hoping a new cafe could encourage shoppers to spend locally.

Richard Sambridge, owner of The Natural Way in Braintree, has applied to build a cafe inside the vegan store.

Mr Sambridge, 37, took over from his father, Rob Sambridge, who started the business in 1984 and the family all lead vegan lifestyles.

He said: "It's something that my father and I wanted to do for a long time.

"We have a lot more vegan customers now, it's like a movement, and we've got the room to be to do it.

"People are thinking more about their diet today, so we are going for vegan and organic, which my father has been following for years.

"My kids are vegan too, it's what we believe in and our customers have been asking for a long time.

"It would be as simple as a change of use but we are a listed building. We are not knocking any walls down, but hopefully it will give somewhere for vegans or vegetarians to eat and encourage people to buy from us as well."

Mr Sambridge, who now runs the shop with wife Lauren, started working there at the age of 12 as a Saturday helper.

He now feels competition with online shops, the opening of Freeport and its planned expansion has impacted negatively on Braintree town centre, taking away from independent traders.

The shop, which has been in the town for 32 years, first opened in New Street but moved two years ago to the High Street where footfall is higher.

Mr Sambridge said: "We have overheads and rates, stuff which you don't have online.

"My father objected to Freeport when it happened, people bypass the town and now they are planning an expansion. If the council could encourage more on the High Street it would give people more reason to come here.

"If you have an empty shop the council still get their money. You might get six months off but you still have to pay the rates, the council do not have the incentive to fill the shops."

For more information visit thenaturalway.co.uk