A new 'Costa' style café has been proposed as part of a Heritage Centre refurbishment at the Royal Hospital School

The new coffee shop is aimed at providing a showcase space primarily aimed at parent dropping off their children, and as a meeting point.

RHS is looking to combine a variety of seating areas allowing a mix of large and small gathering points for students and other groups.

It is hoped the new development would provide a balance between the heritage and a modern and functional feel.

In a heritage statement to Babergh planners, RHS said: "The intention of the School is to relocate some of the current Heritage Centre items into the Reception Hall and convert the Heritage Centre into a café with some external seating.

"The café would be a 'Costa style' place with hot and cold drinks served, limited choice of hot meals (paninis, sausage rolls, etc. but no cooking facilities) and variety of cold salads and sandwiches. The kitchen therefore would be more of a coffee shop style."

The application, which was validated at the and of March, is for a conversion of the Heritage Centre space to a new cafe. Have replacement windows and doors, new flooring, ceiling and lighting. Also, for refurbishment of the Conference room including suspended ceiling replacement.

Public comments can made on the Babergh planning website, using reference: DC/20/01292

The Royal Hospital School, originally used by the Royal Navy was built in 1933, after a five year building project.

Girls were first admitted in 1991 with an intake to Hood House. From 1994, the RHS also looked to include international students within the school via "international exchange programmes" to "build understanding among nations".

The school insisted despite these changes, RHS continued to acknowledge the seafaring heritage of the establishment.