A CHILDREN'S soft play zone together with a cafe-bistro is earmarked for Caterham Valley.
A planning application before Tandridge District Council calls for the conversion of a former shop in Croydon Road.
The store was the Modeller's Loft, which closed two years ago. The site was then short-lived as S and J Home Stores for four months last year.
The applicants are Henry's House, which runs a similar venture in South Croydon's Royal Oak Centre.
The latest plan has won a cautious welcome from Graham Tapley, the organiser of regular Meet Caterham Business conventions.
He said: "I would be happier to see this shop used rather than it standing vacant."
The planning application has also prompted a debate on Valley Action's Facebook page.
Si Clarke said: "That's great news for Caterham. It will liven that side of town up, increasing potential for other business. If there are parking issues, it means the town is thriving."
Vivien Feeney said: "It might be an idea, but what about the parking issue?
"I got a £20 fine in the (nearby) Waitrose car park not that long ago."
And Mark Bristow said: "I have my reservations about this plan, based on the change of use from A1 (retail shop) to A3 (food and drink)."
He said hot food takeaways came under the A3 planning category. A plan for a restaurant/takeaway at a former carpet store just seven doors away was refused by Tandridge District Council in August, when council officers concluded that the loss of a retail unit in the heart of the town was unacceptable.
A spokesman for Henry's House declined to comment on its planning application.
Its South Croydon site is open seven days a week, catering for children from toddlers up to nine years old.
It includes two separate indoor soft play areas, as well as a coffee shop.
The plan is currently being processed by council officers.
