Finishing touches are being put to a new restaurant for Gloucester Docks.

The former Vinings restaurant, latterly knows as The Veranda Lounge and which served Pan-Asian food, closed in May this year.

Albert Stanulis, who describes himself as restaurant business consultant, has been working to bring the new plans to fruition and fill positions at the new business.

"The restaurant will be called The Med. It will be Mediterranean food - casual dining. We have employed a local designer - Monica Lenore - who also designed the interior of Gloucester Brewery's Tank pub.

"We are now training staff and refurbishment is not far off being finished - possibly sometime next week. Then opening soon afterwards."

The business, he said, represented the interests of a number of investors, some from the city and some from outside, but could well be fronted by the as yet unnamed female chef who will be running the newly-fitted kitchens.

"We have invested a significant amount in the kitchens," said Mr Stanulis, a former retail banker of part Russian and Part German heritage.

"But we currently only have the lease for a remaining three years. If it was for 10 years we would have put three times more investment into the décor."

It is understood by Punchline that the owner of the previous business, Robin Chowdhury, still owns the lease on the premises, which is fronted by what locals call the 'rusty box' - and award-winning metal-clad addition to the historic Vinings warehouse building.

Some 300 dishes have been developed for The Med, with that list being whittled down to 30. The extended list allows for the menu to be freshened up and updated as the business develops.

The restaurant is also understood to be working with an outside company which specialises in vegan food for advice on this part of its menu.

"We are looking to open mid-October, but don't want to jinx it yet by setting a date," said Mr Stanulis, who said the most important target was opening in time to take bookings for Christmas.

Footfall figures past the Vinings were "disappointing", said Mr Stanulis, but added it was about looking longer term and change was afoot in the city and Docks which could help change that.

Mr Stanulis is also working with a number of other restaurants in the city.