The Cornish Bakehouse opening branch in Hay Hill in Norwich

The Cornish Bakehouse could soon be moving into an empty shop in Hay Hill as Norwich City Council approves the brand's plans for the site.

The bakery, which serves pasties, baguettes, sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks, will be opening in part of the former Topshop, which closed in February 2021.

The site has remained empty since Topshop closed in 2021 (Image: Eleanor Storey) While Mountain Warehouse opened in the store in 2023, a small part of the site remained empty, and the bakery will be moving into the gap between the outdoor shop and McDonald's.

The unit will undergo a revamp, with the large window transformed into a window and a door, but the exterior will remain black.

The branch will be takeaway only, with only enough space in the small shop for a counter and display cabinets.

Plans for the bakery chain have now been approved (Image: One Planning) The Cornish Bakehouse was founded in Cornwall in 1983 and has a handful of stores across the country, with the closest in Essex. 

A spokesman for the company said: "This unit has been vacant for some time and therefore our application will result in the building being brought back into viable use. 

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"The proposal is merely seeking changes to the frontage to provide an attractive shopfront that is fit for purpose."

The shop will open behind Mountain Warehouse (Image: Denise Bradley) The new bakery will be open from 7am until 6pm seven days a week.

It will be located in Hay Hill which has recently reopened after a major revamp. 

The £3.2m City Council project included improved seating, better-designed steps, plants and a water feature to create a multipurpose events space. 

Customers at The Cornish Bakehouse will be able to make use of the space to eat their baked goods.