PLANS to turn an empty shop building into a restaurant and takeaway offering “healthy grilled food” have been granted approval.

The proposals to change the use of the ground floor of the former Bedroomplace shop in Duke Street, St Helens were sent in to the council in August by applicant MKSO Limited.

The application sought permission for a change of use of the ground floor of the premises to a mixed use restaurant and takeaway.

Plans stated that “externally the building will be changed by adding a new shopfront” and “internally the building will be finished to provide a modern elegant appearance to provide customer seating area”.

The design and access statement, drawn up by agents Architecture & Interior Design Ltd, added: “The overall design of the building externally will remain the same with proposed new shopfront to match the existing style and new signage above.

“The internal layout will be altered on the ground floor to provide a suitable layout for a restaurant”. It is also said: “The proposed change of use would be beneficial for the local community as it would provide for a health style of food, which is limited in the area.

“The proposal will serve the large local community of which are residential and commercial with healthy grilled food.

“The proposed restaurant will help regenerate the current building and help inject money back into the community by providing jobs to locals and providing a healthy option of food”.

It concluded: “The proposed restaurant will provide a family friendly dining experience with family seating areas, providing healthy grilled food, as part of the new healthy style of living, something which is limited in the area and would be very successful”.

In a report recommending the plans be granted, case officer Natasha Ayres said: "The proposed change of use will be a complementary use to the parade of commercial units along Duke Street, and will bring back into use a vacant unit".

It added: "The new shop front and associated alterations would have no impacts to the character of the area and the design would is acceptable".

Formal permission has been granted.