One of the most well-trodden and famous parts of central Canterbury is beginning a period of wholesale changes.

The corner of Sun Street and Guildhall Street is home to the Belgian bar La Trappiste, which closes its doors next week after seven years of business.

Its neighbour, Kennedy’s Shoes, is closing after 160 years of service, but across the road the Creams cafe has opened.

With another restaurant eyeing up the La Trappiste building, the Sun Street and Guildhall Street corner will be home to a concentration of eateries and cafes.

Opened in 2010 in the former Deakin’s outfitters at the corner of Sun Street and Guildhall Street, La Trappiste specialised in Belgian beers and making its own artisan bread.

It opened the venue in 2010 following a £250,000 refurbishment and will say goodbye to its customers with a celebration on Saturday night.

Owner Simon Barrett said: “We are sad to be closing and we will be selling the building.

“It’s such a brilliant location and it’s a place that other businesses have been interested in ever since we opened.

“We got some interest in buying and thought now was the time to move on and do something else. Nothing is forever.

“But we’ve loved our time and we’ll be saying goodbye to our customers on Saturday night.”

Tuesday will be La Trappiste’s last official day of trading.

It is understood that the owners of The Chapter, the pizza restaurant in Burgate, are in the process of buying the building.

Meanwhile, across the road, the unit which was the Meers hardware shop and more recently Mrs Jones’s Kitchen has reopened as part of the Creams Cafe chain.

It specialises in cakes, ice cream, crepes and waffles.

Manager Farouk Sadiq says the cafe has been 10 months in refurbishment and featured a Victorian “steampunk” interior design.

“It’s a unique venue and something that appeals to all ages,” he said. “We just want people to come in and have a really good experience.”

Creams is creating up to 30 jobs.