A new cafe or takeaway food business could be about to open in Gloucester - as the city gears up to welcome hundreds of students.

Accommodation is due to be completed early next year for University of Gloucestershire students on what is called the Blackfriars site ringed by Ladybellegate Street, Barbican Road, Commercial Road and Longsmith Street.

It is believed to be with the pending student population growth in mind that the owners of a Westgate Street building have filed an application for a new food business.

A source close to the plans for Food A Max said: "Over the last couple of years Gloucester has been really on the up, and with the students coming it will give the city centre even more of a boost."

The former Swinton Insurance offices at number 35, currently occupied temporarily by the Ladyshape Gym, is the building which could become what Punchline-Gloucester.com understands has a working title of Food A Max.

As for Ladyshape Gym, it is business as usual with short-term plans to move into a new permanent premises at the rear of the Antiques Centre, almost directly opposite its current home.

It previously spent eight years located on the ground floor of the former Citizen newspaper offices in St John's Lane, Gloucester.

Westgate Street is fast becoming a hot spot for cafes and eateries, with a new café also expected to open in the former Raging Bull and Hayden Taylor shop at 60 Westgate Street.

Read more: New eatery planned for city centre