PLANS for a new restaurant in Romsey have been unveiled.

The new eatery could open on the site of the former Co-operative Travel shop in the Market Place if the proposal is given the green light.

According to the plans, the restaurant will be open from 8am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday, and will also have outside tables once the work to replace the roundabout in the Market Place with a large piazza-style build-out around Lord Palmerston’s statue will be completed.

The application has been put forward by the Romsey-based Brightbeech Developments Limited.

Director Tim Lincoln, who owns the building in the Market Place, said they will look for a tenant but a deal has not been made yet.

He added: “We have been working closely with the town centre manager and officers of Test Valley Borough Council to find a way that we can enhance the works which are being undertaken to form a new piazza.

“The change of use of this property from a shop to a restaurant will add a new vibrancy to this area of the Market Square and we hope it will provide a good quality all day dining venue for the benefit of Romsey’s growing population.”

He said he hopes a deal will be made within the next couple of months, opening the restaurant by the beginning of summer.

Town centre manager Mark Edgerley backed the plans and said: “It demonstrates continuing confidence by a landlord to invest in their property to make available a modern restaurant unit within the refurbished Market Place.

“This exciting development demonstrate the strength and belief businesses have in Romsey as a destination, the face of all town centres are changing as our shopping habits change, the successful centres like Romsey are becoming social spaces offering quality retailing, places to eat and meet family and friends as well as for those activities like hairdressing that cannot be done online.”

As previously reported, work to improve the Market Place is under way and is expected to be completed by June.

It is the last phase of the £3.2million enhancements to Romsey.