A new pizza and ice cream restaurant is coming to a prominent empty unit in Gloucester city centre.

Proposals for the former 14 Gifts store, which has sat empty for months, have been approved by the council.

Mr Qayumi has been granted permission to install a flue at the rear of the site to control fumes from the kitchen.

He can now go ahead with plans to transform the unit at 38 - 40 Westgate Street into an ice cream parlour and pizza restaurant.

The property sits on the corner of College Court and was previously home to the Army of Angels charity shop. But it has not had a long term occupant since 14 Gifts relocated to College Street.

The expansive three-storey building was recently on the market for lease as a 4,200 sq ft space at a cost of £22,500 per annum.

It is not listed but is considered to have historical importance as it is close to the Cathedral and was likely built as a house for merchants and gentry.

The plans do not include any changes to the exterior of the building but will see the interior turned into 274m2 of restaurant space and 86m2 of takeaway space and a flue installed to extract fumes from the kitchen.

One objection was received by a nearby resident who said they did not want cooking smells entering their bedroom or air pollution in College court.

A statement submitted by Port Architects, based in Up Hatherley, on behalf of the applicant

said: "It is expected the change of use will keep the building occupied and in productive use."

The council granted approval for the plans on Thursday (Sept 19).