AN EMPTY former financial services outlet could be changed into a new licenced cafe and restaurant in Whitehaven if the proposed change of use gets planning approval.

Sagar Simsek has submitted an application to Cumberland Council for the premises in Tangier Street which is next door to his takeaway business.

The proposed cafe would run as a cafe during the day and restaurant in the evening. The applicant has also applied for permission to extend the flat roof and balustrade to the rear.

According to the application the site covers an area of 0.13 hectares and the applicant currently runs the takeaway and they are hoping to expand the business.

It would cover a total internal floorspace of 110 square metres and it is proposed the venture would have three full time and two part time members of staff.

According to a planning document the planning application is for the change of use and alterations at both premises.

It states: "The applicant wishes to extend into no 6 and expand the scale of his business into a café during the day and restaurant in the evening.

"The building is suited to such use as it has been constructed to the building standards required for class A2, public use.

"The project is in the Whitehaven Conservation Area. No works are proposed to the exterior of the building, other than an extension of the flat roof and balustrade to the rear. Any other works will constitute general maintenance and repair.

"The works are mainly to provide a unisex toilet alongside the existing accessible toilet, a new serving area and covered access to connect the two separate premises at the rear to allow for the sharing of facilities."

According to the document the two premises could be run either as one business or two separate concerns - for example the café may be open during the daytime, while the pizza takeaway may be closed most of the day.

The document states: "The applicant wishes to have a drinks licence to enable beer and wine to be served with meals during the evening.

"The design is to minimise the visual change to the building within the conservation area. Any new signage will be designed separately and agreed with the conservation office to fit the existing fascia.

"The use of the premises as a café and restaurant will complement the existing takeaway use at no. 7 Tangier Street Marmaris.

"The café will be convenient for the bus service stop across the road. The works will occupy an empty retail premises in town.

"The proposals are in Flood Zone 1 and there need be no consideration of the impact of flooding on or from the premises.

"Access for all has been considered, there is an existing fully accessible toilet and a new unisex toilet will be provided.”

The report concludes that the proposals are recommended to Cumberland Council as a positive move forward in the town centre "which very much needs some confidence in the retail sector".

The matter is currently being considered by planning officers at the council.