Plans have been submitted to repurpose vacant retail space at Belfast’s Victoria Square shopping complex for hospitality use.
Two empty shop units at the shopping centre are set to be redeveloped into a new restaurant under the proposals.
The centre, managed by Lambert Smith and Hampton, is seeking permission to amalgamate two upper ground units for an unnamed new hospitality tenant.
It comes just weeks after The Irish News revealed that luxury hot chocolate brand Knoops had selected Victoria Square to make its debut on the island of Ireland.
The units include the former Carphone Warehouse store, located between Specsavers and Costa at the Ann Street entrance to the centre.
The move from retail to leisure and hospitality space is a growing trend in the retail sector.
It follows a challenging period for the 922,000 sq ft shopping centre, owned by German asset manager Commerz Real.
Anchor tenants including H&M, River Island and Tessuti have all left large vacant units at the centre in recent months.
Apple is also set to leave Victoria Square for a new build store in Belfast city centre.
