A NEW bar could be opening to replace a vacant restaurant site in Westhoughton.

A planning application has been submitted to Bolton council to change the former Nawab Indian restaurant on Market Street, into a bar.

The Nawab closed three years ago and the building has been empty since.

Bradshaw Gass and Hope LLP and their client put forward the planning application in late July to change the use of the building from a restaurant into a drinking establishment.

The proposals suggest that developers will change the layout of the ground floor by swapping the kitchen and the bathrooms there around.

This means the developer would replace the existing kitchen with new male and female toilet facilities and replace the existing toilets with a new kitchen.

The kitchen is also proposed to have an extra window fitted, under the blueprints.

Works will also move an existing staircase further down the hall, leading up to the first floor and bi-folding doors with a pass door added on the ground floor instead of keeping an existing UPVC screen.

A central wall is also proposed to be removed and replaced with a steel beam and the opening on the first floor is to be widened and have structural support added.

Other work has also been put forward in the plans which include a new extraction fan, the replacing of outdoor fencing and a new bin store door.

It is suggested that the bar will sell food and will also keep its original retro arcade area on the first floor level.

The planning application states that the bar will have no parking added or removed, so plans will remain the same and not impact residents or neighbours.

If planning is accepted, the new bar will be open Monday to Saturday 12pm to 1am and Sunday 12pm to midnight.

It will be situated at 45 Market Street and supporters say it would be a useful addition to the existing hospitality industry in Westhoughton.

Neighbours around the area are due to be consulted on the planned works.

A decision on the application could be made next month.