Plans have been submitted to turn a former city centre clothing store into a Thai restaurant.

Resturant chain, Giggling Squid, has applied for permission to transform the former Tessuti store into an eatery.

The store on Bridge Street closed permanently earlier this year, having been based there since 2017.

If plans are approved by the council, the unit could be turned into a Giggling Squid restaurant, with 'minimal changes to the existing building fabric except for cosmetic alterations'. 

The planning application proposes demolition of the internal walls on the ground floor (Nub News)

The report submitted with the planning application said: "The existing building has previously been a public house and a restaurant, and the proposal of a new restaurant will encourage pedestrian footfall to The Rows."

The application proposes demolition of the internal walls on the ground floor, which would create a clear view from Commonhall Street into the building, therefore 'increasing public interest'. 

Suitable access would be provided by the proposed platform lift and wheelchair accessible WC. 

Giggling Squid's application suggested reopening the shop front at Row level and creating a dining space would increase footfall. 

The property is a Grade II Listed Building and is located within the Chester city centre conservation area.

Justifying the changes that would be made to the existing unit, the report reads: "The interior layout of the building has been subject to various retail fitting outs and has been altered substantially since the 1970s.

What the new bar area could look like if plans go ahead for new restaurant (Image via: Giggling Squid)

"There are no internal features dating before the 1970s and therefore no significant features remain.

"The internal alterations proposed will pose no impact to the historical fabric of the building, since most existing interior elements are dated to 1980 or later, and minor alterations would be made to the existing interior layout."

You can find the application here.