Plans have been revealed to transform the upper deck of Gloucester Quays into a massive climbing centre.

The mezzanine space has sat empty for years but has now attracted interest from Lancashire firm Clip 'N Climb UK.

It claims to have " revolutionized active play" with its network of more than 360 colorful climbing centres across the globe.

The firm already operates in cities including London,  Bristol and Cambridge and has now set its sights on Gloucester. It wants to transform the 1,256 sqm space at the Quays into a family friendly facility with numerous climbing walls, a soft play and a cafe.

The news comes just months after the city's only other similar facility, The Warehouse Climbing Centre, closed its doors .

And it is hot on the heels of the Gloucester Rugby store closing at the outlet centre - despite Quays bosses securing permission for it to carry on selling non outlet goods.

The new proposals were revealed after the owner of the shopping centre Gloucester Quays LLP submitted a planning application to Gloucester City Council.

It wants permission for a change of use of the upper deck from outlet retailing to indoor sport, recreation or fitness.

It has already installed two new escalators to make the upper deck more accessible and said the plans would not require any external changes or result in any loss of retail space or parking.

A planning statement by Alder King Planning Consultants said: "The proposals will bring an underutilised space within the city centre into economic use and will contribute positively to the levels of economic activity in the area."

It said the facility would also increase footfall and encourage longer stays at the shopping centre and "help strengthen Gloucester City Centre through expanding the breadth of attractions and facilities available".

The upper deck was created as part of the original building with an opened sided mezzanine looking down over the adjacent malls.

There have been numerous proposals for the space over the years but all have fizzled out or failed.

They included 2009 plans to turn it into an event space, 2014 plans for it to be taken over by Gloucester Antiques Centre and plans in 2018 and 2021 to turn it into a soft play which were approved but never materialised.

The plans said Clip 'N Climb UK would be the "likely" operator of the space.

It already has facilities at the O2 in London, Bristol, Swindon and Bicester ansd numerous other UK locations.

The application said: "Its theme park meets climbing wall concept has been thrilling and challenging people of all ages for almost 20 years, creating a new sector in the leisure industry that has grown in popularity all over the world."

Gloucester City Council is expected to decide the application by May 17.