A NEW Italian restaurant could soon be setting up in the heart of Chester, potentially creating up to 40 new jobs.

Tre Ciccio, which currently has bases in Altrincham, Ramsbottom and Bramhall, has submitted a planning application to the former Tropeiro site in Grosvenor Street.

Planning agents My Town Planning Consultancy say the new location would be: "the fourth of this style of high quality rustic, Neapolitan family restaurants."

It added: "It is acknowledged that the restaurant will employ 37.5 full time equivalent staff, 40 in total, but most staff will be recruited locally and all staff will be encouraged to car share, use public transport and cycle."

Since the closure of Tropeiro in February 2016, works had taken place at the Grade II building to convert it into what was aiming to be The Fine Dieting Restaurant in 2018, but ultimately work stopped on this project in February 2019 and the restaurant did not see the light of day.

Planning documents for Tre Ciccio reveal the renovation works will be completed, with the proposed installation of a staircase, an 'alfresco' exterior dining area and a retractable roof over sections of the ground floor.

Proposed opening hours would be 9am-11pm, Monday to Sunday.

An accompanying heritage statement by an experienced town planner states the site has been in use as a public house and restaurant dating back to 1873, and recommended the proposal for approval.

According to Tre Ciccio, which first opened in the UK in 2016, the restaurant's menu was inspired by a family-run neighbourhood village trattoria nestled in hills near Salerno, Campania, and takes "huge pride" in sourcing ingredients from Italy and the UK.

Cheshire West and Chester Council planners are due to make a decision on the application in the coming weeks.