A NEW eatery could soon be opening its doors in Festival Place.

A planning application has been submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to change the use of a unit in the shopping centre currently reserved for retail use.

The proposal is to change the use of a unit known as the Atrium, which is on the ground floor of the shopping centre and accessed via Festival Square.

A planning statement from Lichfields states that there is a potential unnamed occupant of the site if planning permission is granted.

The statement read: “There is a potential tenant identified to take Unit 7Rb, subject to the grant of the planning permission sought.

“The potential operator proposes to sell food which will predominantly consist of cold food with and some hot food served (prepared offsite) which is heated up in the premises and sold.

“The potential operator will have provision for food and drink to be eaten on and off the premises and therefore requires a composite A1/A3 use.”

The site is currently occupied and is being used for retail. However, the current lease runs out at the end of this month.

The applicants believes the change of use of the unit would support the “ongoing vitality, viability and competitiveness of the town centre.”

The planning statement also outlines that there would be no alterations to the access of the unit with no change to the exterior apart from new branding.

The statement added: “It is considered that the change of use will help improve and modernise the services available at Festival Place shopping centre, responding to market demands in the retail and leisure sector.”

To view the application or to make a comment on the plan, go to planning.basingstoke.gov.uk and search 18/02637/FUL.